Fairway's Turf Online

Ragnar stages fight back for thrilling win

KUALA LUMPUR: Dec 24, 2023

RAGNAR snatches victory right on the line from ATHIMS KLIS (inside)
— SLTC photo

Five months ago last July, RAGNAR boldly took a huge leap in class and won a Stayers Stakes A event over 1800m at Sungai Besi.

This came just two weeks after he had returned to form to win over 1600m in Class 4, the same class he has been racing in for the past three seasons after winning his debut in Restricted Maiden in late 2019.

RAGNAR has been unplaced in five outings since July, beating just one home in his last run.

But the Shocking gelding turned in a much improved performance to beat a couple of big names to win the Stayers Stakes A race over 1600m at Sungai Besi here today.

GOOD FIGHT, winner of three Cup races in his last three starts, was a course scratching which robbed the race of much colour.

But RAGNAR still had to face PASIR PINJI, winner of the Selangor Gold Cup, the well-performed AHTIMS KLIS and last start winner GOLDEN PEACH amongst others.

The seven-year-old, however, raised his game just when it mattered most.

Aizat Abdul Malik settled RAGNAR in fifth spot with the favourite PASIR PINJI also well off the pace set by SHOW HAND and PACIFIC DIAMOND early in the running.

The early pacemakers caved in and the field was stretched across the track coming to the 200m. RAGNAR hit the front soon after but AHTIMS KLIS then charged through on his inside and grabbed the lead 100m out.

RAGNAR, however, raised another effort and got up in the last couple of strides to beat AHTIMS KLIS by a head.

"It was a lucky win but I have a good chemistry with this horse," said Aizat who rode RAGNAR four times last year for two wins. "I settled him off the pace and he gave me a good response in the straight."

"He (RAGNAR) is getting better with age," said trainer Ooi Chin Chin. "Aizat placed and settled him nicely."

RAGNAR was the third leg of a splendid treble for Aizat who took the opening event on STARDICE and was successful with JOKER NINE SIX two races later.

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

1	CLASS 5 - 1200M
1	STARDICE	S Hamilton	AM Aizat	1
	(9 b.nz.g O'Reilly - Joy by Pins)
10	White Rabbit	C Leck	S Saddam	2
4	Race For Fame	AB Abdullah	E Ferreira	3
9	Northern Knight	M Sukri	J Daniel	4

2	CLASS 5 - 1200M
8	SHANGANI	F Maynard	S Shazmin	1
	(8 ch.nz.g Postponed - Claudy Eire by Promontory Gold)
6	Chino Dinero	WC Lim	M Lukman	2
2	Speedy Demon	V Sivan	AM Aizat	3
5	Oud Wood	K Ananthen	S Ruzaini	4

3	CLASS 4 - 1100M
8	JOKER NINE SIX	V Sivan	AM Aizat	1
	(8 b.a.g Exceed And Excel - Seances by Canny Lad)
7	Dragon Cavallo	HY Cheng	H Haikal	2
3	Doctor Ginger	SY Lim	J De Souza	3
9	Blue Hawaii	C Leck	S Ruzaini	4

4	CLASS 4 - 1100M
3	SUPER HAPPY	KC Tiang	R Shafiq	1
	(5 b.a.g Press Statement - Full Bloom by Snippets)
6	Nagas King	SY Lim	A Suriya	2
9	Simlong Beach	S Hamilton	SU Lim	3
5	Ironclad	R Lines	WW Cheah	4

5	CLASS 4 - 1300M
7	VALERIE PEGASUS	NM Selvan	S Saddam	1
	(4 br.nz.g Shamexpress - Dont Worry by Smart Missile)
6	Legacy Roar	K Ananthen	S Ruzaini	2
5	Village Warrior	I Ismadi	KC Tham	3
2	Vetri	HY Cheng	S Shazmin	4

6	CLASS 4 - 1300M
8	NOVA FACTOR	CC Ooi	R Shafiq	1
	(7 gr/roan.am.g The Factor - Super Cub by Old Trieste)
5	Congaree	L Moy	I Fikri	2
1	Khan Pegasus	WC Lim	M Lukman	3
13	Harvest	R Lines	S Shazmin	4

7	CLASS 3 - 1300M
7	QUICKEN AWAY	I Ismadi	J Daniel	1
	(5 b/br.a.m Mint Lane - Tigers Eyes by Tale Of The Cat)
1	Misty Swift	S Ellis	M Lukman	2
10	Meryl	F Maynard	S Shazmin	3
2	Speedy Missile	R Lines	L De Souza	4

8	OPEN MAIDEN (WFA) - 1400M
4	THE GENERAL	CC Ooi	H Haikal	1
	(4 b.a.g American Pharoah - Silent Eyes by Montjeu)
2	Pacific Windsor	KC Tiang	S Shazmin	2
1	Big Franck	S Dunderdale	J De Souza	3
6	Jazz Band	S Hamilton	SU Lim	4

9	STAYERS STAKES A (SW) - 1600M
4	RAGNAR	CC Ooi	AM Aizat	1
	(7 b.nz.g Shocking - Barbara Jennie by Bahhare)
2	Ahtims Klis	NM Selvan	J De Souza	2
12	Pasir Pinji	S Dunderdale	T Ammar	3
3	Golden Peach	C Leck	S Ruzaini	4

10	CLASS 4 - 1600M
7	MENTAL	C Leck	S Ruzaini	1
	(5 b.nz.m Ocean Park - Dubrovnik by Medaglia D'Oro)
8	Nordic Gem	S Hamilton	H Haikal	2
9	Pacific Thunder	KC Tiang	S Shazmin	3
1	Colonel Chief	F Maynard	S Saddam	4

11	CLASS 5 - 1700M
5	BINELZAAM	AB Abdullah	J De Souza	1
	(6 b.ir.g Elzaam - Endless Peace by Russian Revival)
7	Mainstream	C Leck	S Ruzaini	2
1	D'Great Magic	EP Tan	S Shazmin	3
2	Flaming Phoenix	KC Tiang	R Shafiq	4

12	CLASS 5 - 1400M
1	TYPHOON	S Dunderdale	L De Souza	1
	(4 br.a.g Merchant Navy - Red Typhoon by Hold That Tiger)
2	Cher	NM Selvan	J De Souza	2
6	Triple One Star	R Lines	SU Lim	3
8	Doge To The Moon	C Leck	S Saddam	4