Fairway's Turf Online

Awesome Storm blows away rivals

KUALA LUMPUR: Feb 5, 2023

AWESOME STORM trashing his rivals to record his eighth win - SLTC photo

A last-minute change of rider did not stop AWESOME STORM from getting back into the winner's circle in the Metro A event over 1200m at Sungei Besi here today.

With nominated rider Tuan Ammar indisposed, fellow apprentice Fikri Ismail was charged with the ride on the odds-on favourite.

Fikri has never ridden the Phenomonons five-year-old but any doubt on the young lad handling the champion sprinter was laid to rest as soon as the field jumped.

AWESOME STORM was the first to break and had a clear lead from the start. Thereafter he led his rivals on a merry chase, romping home by 5 1/4 lengths in the set-weight event. It was the gelding's eighth win in 12 starts in Malaysia.

AWESTORM STORM, who won once in five starts in Australia, was unbeaten in his first six starts, culminating with his runaway win (by 8 1/2 lengths) in the Tunku Gold Cup (1200m) in April last year.

Since then, there have been two uncharacteristically disappointing runs but like a good horse he is, AWESOME STORM has bounced back.

Fikri, as expected, was grateful for the opportunity to ride the top sprinter. "The horse was impressive and I am happy for the ride," he said.

"AWESOME STORM is back winning in style," said trainer Simon Dunderdale. "Fikri rode him very well especially as he had never sat on him before."

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

1	CLASS 5 - 1400M
7	D'GREAT MAGIC	EP Tan	MM Mirdaus	1
	(8 b/br.a.g Mulaazem - Sweet Misery by Tayasu Tsuyoshi)
2	Fardus	M Sukri	Y Aify	2
6	Enforce	HY Cheng	S Ruzaini	3
9	Trinity General	SY Lim	V Espindola	4

2	CLASS 5 - 1400M
4	NOVA FACTOR	CC Ooi	MM Firdaus	1
	(7 gr/roan.am.g The Factor - Super Cub by Old Trieste)
1	Sahm	M Sukri	R Nuqman	2
10	Lim's Torpedo	R Lines	S Ruzaini	3
8	Night Light	HY Cheng	H Arif	4

3	CLASS 5 - 1600M
5	MAESTRO	I Ismadi	AK Lim	1
	(7 br.nz.g He's Remarkable - Bella Carolina by O'Reilly)
1	Skyscraper	AB Abdullah	HS Gill	2
2	Harvest	KC Tiang	V Espindola	3
10	Silver Joy	HY Cheng	KC Tham	4

4	CLASS 4 - 1500M
9	LUPIN	MW Teh	HS Gill	1
	(5 b.a.g Gingerbread Man - Deemed Priceless by Anabaa)
5	Mr Hopkins	F Maynard	KC Tham	2
3	Mr Hanks	MP Thwaites	V Espindola	3
6	Shoqeet	AB Abdullah	AK Lim	4

5	OPEN MAIDEN (WFA) - 1500M
2	DAN IMPACT	R Lines	S Ruzaini	1
	(4 b.a.g Real Impact - Villa De Madrid by Mossman)
1	Suspicious Mind	S Dunderdale	R Nuqman	2
9	Big China	SY Lim	S Sia	3
3	Top Gun	S Dunderdale	S Salee	4

6	METRO A (SW) - 1200M
1	AWESOME STORM	S Dunderdale	I Fikri	1
	(5 br.a.g Phenomenons - Forewarning by Magic Albert)
2	Xena	HY Cheng	S Ruzaini	2
3	Eclipse Splash	F Maynard	KC Tham	3
4	Distinctive Darci	R Lines	KH Chong	4

7	CLASS 4 - 1200M
2	ACROBAT	R Lines	WK Lee	1
	(7 ch.nz.g Pins - Turf Fire by O'Reilly)
7	Happy Thirtynine	MP Thwaites	R Nuqman	2
5	Andado	SY Lim	S Sia	3
10	Harveywallbanger	R Lines	S Ruzaini	4

8	CLASS 5 - 1100M
10	BATTLESTAR	S Hamilton	KC Tham	1
	(5 b.a.g Hinchinbrook - Mysticallt by Forest Wildcat)
5	Lim's Unique	L Moy	I Fikri	2
4	Invisible	R Lines	WK Lee	3
9	Vain Tycoon	HY Cheng	HK Cheng	4

9	CLASS 5 - 1100M
9	DARCI SUPER	S Hamilton	KC Tham	1
	(9 br.nz.g Darci Brahma - Sriwijaya by Last Tycoon)
8	I Am Midas	S Siva	M Ewe	2
5	Kubera's Chief	SY Lim	R Nuqman	3
7	Simlong Beach	S Hamilton	S Salee	4