Azhar seals championship with Joker Jack

PENANG,  30 December 2007
Azhar Ismail
Azhar Ismail on his way to his 52nd win of the season on
JOKER JACK

Penang based Azhar Ismail bagged the 2007 Malaysian jockeys' premiership with 52 wins after he booted home JOKER JACK to win the RM43,000 Lyndhurst Stud Trophy (Class 3, Div 2 - 1400m) here today, the final day of the 2007 racing season.

It was Azhar's fifth title after his successes in 2001 (45 wins), 2002 (45), 2004 (59) and 2004 (59). "But I have to fight the hardest for the victory this time," said Azhar.

A double by Oscar Chavez on Christmas Day in Ipoh drew the Panamanian level on 48 wins with Azhar, with South African Martin Wepner just a winner behind on 47.

Azhar scored first yesterday, before Chavez replied with a double. Azhar then put himseld in the diver's seat with another two winners yesterday.

His sole victory today sealed the championship, with Chavez failing to land a winner.

The ever popular Azhar was effectively forced out of the running for the title in 2005 when he copped a one-year disqualification. He only resumed riding in September last year.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE

1

 CLASS 5, DIV 2 - 1700M

6

 Speed Of Light K L Chong K T Cheng

1

4

 Speed Lion Lam Cavallo

2

8

 Bronzino F Nathan Wepner

3

5

 Red Cedar Noordin Salee

4

2

 LUNDHURST STUD TROPHY
  CLASS 3, DIV 2 - 1400M      

5

 Joker Jack Tiang Azhar

1

4

 Bee Bee Tycoon H S Lim P Braem

2

3

 Banker Way S H Tan Wepner

3

2

 Iron Eyes Cody Thwaites H S Gill

4

3

 DAWSON STUD TROPHY
  CLASS 3, DIV 3 - 1400M      

2

 Hari Kaya S H Tan Wepner

1

5

 Light Easy P Roslan Saimee

2

6

 Blazing Blair R Rogers Salee

3

1

 Bintang Melang Pereira I Fadzlei

4

4

 MALAYSIA 2007 MAGIC MILLIONS CLASSIC - 1200M

3

 Cheyenne Dancer Maynard R Lim

1

2

 Penang Wonder Tiang Azhar

2

1

 Jug Full S Cook Saimee

3

7

 Where Also Ken S H Tan Woodworth

4

5

 YANG DI PERTUA NEGERI GOLD CUP - 2200M

6

 New Kuala Dipang Maynard Salee

1

15

 Shantou Mayor B T Lim H S Gill

2

9

 It's All Money F Nathan Wepner

3

3

 Royal Admiral L Laxon Woodworth

4

6

 DURHAM LODGE TROPHY
  CLASS 4 (HOME BASED) - 1400M  

8

 Winchester Wonder Robert J Low

1

2

 Colourland Supreme Robert Chavez

2

6

 Penang Star Tiang Azhar

3

5

 Tulsa R Rogers Wepner

4

7

 DA MA CAI STAKES,   CLASS 5, DIV 1 - 1700M

4

 Hot Wheels Robert J Low

1

1

 Corner Beach Osman Wepner

2

10

 All Ready P K Leong Vellaikannu

3

3

 Governor Zanner Tiang Chavez

4

8

 CLASS 5, DIV 4 - 1200M

10

 More N More Lam Wan

1

11

 Tiger In The Hunt K L Chong A Chew

2

6

 Director Thwaites D Chong

3

3

 Success Strength H S Lim K T Cheng

4