Fairway's Turf Online

Awesome Storm blows away rivals in Cup

KUALA LUMPUR: Apr 17, 2022

AWESOME STORM cruising to victory in the Tunku Gold Cup - SLTC photo

In what was the most sensational performance seen on the local circuit for many years, AWESOME STORM annihilated his rivals to win the RM200,000 Nine Dragon Boat Tunku Gold Cup over 1200m at Sungei Besi here today.

The win provided a fitting farewell to Brazilian jockey Jose De Souza who heads off to Mauritius to take up a new riding assignment.

The Phenomenons gelding was the firm favourite in the set-weight event after having won all previous five starts in the country.

But few could have imagined what was to come in the first big race held in the country for more than two years.

Ridden by Jose De Souza, AWESOME STORM surged to the front after a good jump to take up the running with three-time winner of the Cup VOLCANIC GENERAL settling in second spot.

AWESOME STORM led into the straight two lengths ahead of VOLCANIC GENERAL but it soon became clear that the latter could not go on like in previous years.

It was VIOLET who moved up to second place shortly after the 400m and the leader was increasing his lead with every meter of the home straight, revelling in the heavy rain that fell prior to the race and the resultant wet track.

At the winning post, he was 8 1/2 lengths clear of the rest. XENA flashed home to take second place, just a nose ahead of VIOLET. Also in the photo was LONELY BOY, a head further back.

"AWESOME STORM is a super sprinter," said winning trainer Simon Dunderdale. "We were a bit worried about the wet track but it didn't bother him at all. It was a brilliant win."

Brilliant indeed for the Australian gelding who won a minor race in five starts in Australia but has nothing but a sensation in his new country. Just four years old, AWESOME STORM is expected to dominate the sprint scene for many years to come.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE: Tote No / Horse / Trainer / Jockey / Position

1	CLASS 5 - 1600M
5	PRESTO	C Leck	Clyde Leck	1
	(8 br.a.g Daliapour - Traverse by Good Journey)
2	Attention	S Siva	L De Souza	2
11	Lightning Hero	C Leck	SU Lim	3
3	Michikawa	HY Cheng	J Daniel	4

2	STAYERS STAKES B (SW) - 2000M
3	TELLER	BT Lim	R Nuqman	1
	(5 br.arg.g Heliostatic - Jolie Joan by Giant's Causeway)
4	Smart Racer	C Leck	Clyde Leck	2
10	Silent Prince	C Leck	Y Aify	3
6	Big King	BT Lim	WW Cheah	4

3	CLASS 4 - 1300M
11	TRAFALGAR	R Lines	S Ruzaini	1
	(6 b.a.g Sebring - Empress Milly by Stratum)
2	Turf Princess	HY Cheng	KC Wong	2
3	Delaware	BT Lim	R Nuqman	3
4	Resolute	S Siva	HS Gill	4

4	CLASS 4 - 1300M
8	WISHUPONASTAR	BT Lim	HS Gill	1
	(5 ch.a.g Zoustar - Ravenous Lass by Stratum)
6	Fish Ball	KC Tiang	R Nuqman	2
13	Tauboss	SY Lim	KC Wong	3
7	Moongate Five	R Lines	L De Souza	4

5	MAX TWO STAKES (SW) - 1250M
2	GAMESTONKS	C Leck	Clyde Leck	1
	(5 b.nz.g Showcasing - Danasia by Danehill)
5	Flying Durumi	R Lines	L De Souza	2
1	Skyfall	AB Abdullah	F Herholdt	3
3	Bleu Marine	HY Cheng	Y Aify	4

6	CLASS 3 - 1100M
1	HANDSOME BENZ	BT Lim	R Nuqman	1
	(6 b.a.g Denman - Alqwah by Danehill)
7	Lincoln Moonlight	HY Cheng	S Ruzaini	2
5	Vietnam Captain	MP Thwaites	HS Gill	3
8	Burkaan	AB Abdullah	F Herholdt	4

7	NINE DRAGON BOAT TUNKU GOLD CUP
7	MALAYSIAN GROUP 1 (SW) - 1200M
1	AWESOME STORM	S Dunderdale	J De Souza	1
	(4 br.a.g Phenomenons - Forewarning by Magic Albert)
13	Xena	HY Cheng	S Ruzaini	2
3	Violet	BT Lim	R Nuqman	3
10	Lonely Boy	M Sukri	Y Aify	4

8	CLASSES 2 & 3- 1100M
3	KONG FU PANDA	KC Tiang	KC Wong	1
	(3 b.nz.g Showcasing - Hermitage by Generous)
2	Chocante	R Lines	S Ruzaini	2
5	Scooby Dooby Doo	MW Teh	M Ekdihar	3
7	Super Hero	R Lines	WW Cheah	4

9	CLASS 5 - 1200M
7	LEADING CELLIST	C Leck	Clyde Leck	1
	(9 b.e.g Hat Trick - Tell It As It Is by Chester House)
9	Martin VJ	V Sivan	KC Wong	2
11	Bangalore	C Leck	Y Aify	3
6	Unshadowed General	C Leck	S Ruzaini	4

10	CLASS 5 - 1200M
6	MAIDANZ BEAUTY	C Leck	Clyde Leck	1
	(9 b.a.m Von Costa De Hero - Maidanz by Danzero)
3	Israr	AB Abdullah	Y Aify	2
8	Autumn Blitz	SY Lim	SU Lim	3
4	Fabulous One	S Dunderdale	J Daniel	4

11	CLASS 5 - 1200M
1	SMART WARRIOR	C Leck	Clyde Leck	1
	(8 b.e.g Holy Roman Emperor - Ommadawn by Montjeu)
5	Gordon G	R Lines	L De Souza	2
14	White Rabbit	C Leck	Y Aify	3
12	Nova Phoenix	HY Cheng	S Ruzaini	4