Kelantan rules in Sultan Gold Vase

IPOH,  22 Nov 2008

 
KELANTAN (No. 2) heads a tight bunch to win the Sultan Gold Vase
Jockey Chan Cheok Fong and trainer Malcolm Thwaites with their trophies

Former Singapore galloper KELANTAN, rejuvenated after a change of scenery, bagged his biggest prize in Malaysia when he triumphed in the RM300,000 Sultan Gold Vase over the 1100m straight course here today.

KELANTAN was a promising three-year-old in 2006 when he won three races at Kranji, including the final leg of the Three-Year-Old challenge series. But his form took a nose-dive after that win and was shipped across the causeway.

Under the care of Malcolm Thwaites, KELANTAN (Cape Cross - Stever House by El Gran Senor) has performed superbly against the best company in Malaysia, picking up three wins and four placings in eight starts thus far.

A third to TRIPLE LUCK in the MRA Cup in March served as a notice that he was regaining his best form. He then bagged the Sports Toto Trophy in June and was truly on his way to the very top.

Today, despite being drawn in the unfavourable No. 1 barrier over the straight course, KELANTAN, partnered by Macau jockey Chan Cheok Fong, triumphed over by half-a-length MAHAU (Yeats - Opal Thief by Ron Bon), who had finished fourth in this race two years ago.

TRIPLE HAPPY (Bletchley Park - Red Marya by Red Anchor), fourth in the Coronation Cup last year but set a different target this time, came home third in the 19-strong field.

KELANTAN was the second leg of a superb treble for the Thwaites- Chan partnership as they also won with BAJA KING (Swiss Yodeler - Rosiano by Rubiano) and LUCKY BEAUTY (Made Of Gold - Brumaire by Soviet Lad). 

RESULTS AT A GLANCE

1

RESTRICTED MAIDEN - 1100M (STR)

8

Fast's Tip B T Lim H S Gill

1

4

Hong Fu Brogan Vellaikannu

2

7

Century Flyboy Tiang K Eirwan

3

3

Colourland Fighter Robert Y F Leong

4

2

CLASS 4 - 1100M (STR)

3

Baja King Thwaites C F Chan

1

1

Lucky Player S Liew H K Lim

2

9

Leading Request Pereira Sofhan

3

2

Brilliant Tycoon B T Lim H S Gill

4

3

CLASS 5 - 1200M

9

Star Of Irgun S H Tan H K Lim

1

2

Flameoftheforest Tennent F Tan

2

5

Dream King A Rahim L L Tai

3

7

Fantastic Fortune Lam Y S Lim

4

4

MAIDEN - 1600M

13

Unlimited Speed K Coetzee Azhar

1

11

Hidalgo P Roslan Aify

2

9

Work With Me Robert S Sandana

3

10

Desert Command S Liew C K Tan

4

5

SULTAN GOLD VASE - 1100M (STR)

2

Kelantan Thwaites C F Chan

1

11

Mahau K H Ng A Chew

2

1

Triple Happy S Liew C K Tan

3

8

Jug Full S Cook Cavallo

4

6

CLASS 4 - 1600M

4

Speed Loong Lam Vellaikannu

1

1

Brillinat Legend B T Lim H S Gill

2

8

Just Once F Nathan F Tan

3

10

Royal Parade B T Lim L L Tai

4

7

CLASS 3 - 1600M

8

Thundershock McGillivray L Ho

1

6

Speed Honour Lam Cavallo

2

14

The Special One Thwaites G Matthias

2

3

Wealth P K Leong S Salemon

4

  *Deadheat for 2nd      

8

MAIDEN - 1200M

8

Dance With Honour Tiang S John

1

6

Oranjestar E Breukelen Poobalan

2

7

Rocky's Man Seet H Yang

3

10

Bonnington Noordin Salee

4

9

CLASS 3 - 1200M

9

Lucky Beauty Thwaites C F Chan

1

8

Special Surprise Hoy J Nizam

2

1

Gold Blade McGillivray L Ho

3

3

Cizen Istana Robert S Sandana

4

10

CLASS 5 - 1200M

1

Royal Jade B T Lim J Low

1

7

China Town King Pereira Chavez

2

6

Smooth Landing K C Hah Woodworth

3

3

Freedom Lam Wan

4