PENANG,  17 July 2005

This could pave the way for Singapore's top sprinter NINETYFIVE EMPEROR to contest the richest sprint in Malaysia.

A new feature race, the RM200,000 Equine Cup, also run over 1400m, is also among the "Open Races" which will be opened to Singapore horses during the meeting, marking the resumption of cross-border racing between Malaysia and Singapore after a lapse of more than six years.

The Astro Wah Lai Toi Sprint Trophy, run at weight-for-age, is sponsored by Malaysia's satellite broadcaster Astro while the Equine Cup will be sponsored by Equine Capital Bhd, whose subsidiary Abad Naluri Sdn Bhd is building the new Penang International Equestrian Centre.

A maximum of eight Singapore trained horses will be allowed to run in each Open Race which will be limited to 16 runners. There will also be up to four Malaysian based emergency runners for each event.

Singapore entries for the Open Races will close at 11 am on Aug 22 while the Malaysian entries on Aug 23.

The racing programme released by the Penang Turf Club for the meeting states that Singapore horses must return to the Singapore Turf Club immediately after their races, unless advised by the club's veterinary surgeon. No horses are permitted to be transferred to Malaysian based trainers or sent to spelling stations in Malaysia before their return to Singapore.

Visiting Singapore horses on returning to Singapore must be stabled away from the local horse population for 14 days in the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore-approved stables, and be trained separately during this period. They are not permitted to participate in races while in isolation.