Professional Man too efficient in Gold Cup

PENANG,  28 Dec 2008
 
PROFESSIONAL MAN storms home on the outside to win the Yang Di
Pertua Ngeri Gold Cup

Azhar Ismail capped a championship season by winning the RM1.35m Yang Di Pertua Ngeri Gold Cup for the first time astride PROFESSIONAL MAN here today.

Previously untested beyond 1700m, PROFESSIONAL MAN (Royal Academy - Mi Signora by Mi Preferido) raced fiercely and refused to settle early in the 2200m handicap event.

Azhar had to work overtime to place him in midfield racing in the back straight and he still had a lot to do making the home turn. Azhar managed to switch him out from the fence at the top of the straight to go after the leaders.

At the 200m, pacemaker SAGAR'S GREAT was tackled by KIKO'S RETURN. He was joined by MIGHTY CHIC, YAKIN and PROFESSIONAL MAN, making it five in a line momentarily.

But PROFESSIONAL MAN managed to draw away from the rest to win by one and a half lengths from MIGHTY CHIC, giving owner Golden Knight Stable and trainer Kevin Coetzee a 1-2 finish. KIKO'S RETURN and YAKIN shared third placing.

Wins on ROSA PARKS earlier in the afternoon and then PROFESSIONAL MAN brought Azhar's tally to 61 for the season and gives the popular Penang jockey back-to-back championships.

Johnny Lim emerged champion trainer for the first time with 71 winners.

Harmeet Singh Gill had a sensational season, easily winning the apprentice title with 53 winners and finished third overall.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE

1

 BATU MAUNG HANDICAP,  CLASS 5 - 1200M

2

 Royal Currency Sukri Sofhan

1

11

 Victory Flames P Roslan Aify

2

4

 Golden Hawk S Liew Cavallo

3

8

 Foreign Lady Noordin Salee

4

2

 LYNDHURST STUD TROPHY,  CLASS 4 - 1200M

15

 River Fuji Pereira G Mathias

1

8

 King's Angel McGillivray Azhar

2

10

 Gold Lion K C Hah Woodworth

3

2

 Speed Leopard Lam Cavallo

4

3

 THREE-YEAR-OLD SPECIAL STAKES - 1200M

5

 Dream Emperor A Rahim L L Tai

1

2

 Century Lord Tiang S John

2

6

 Lafuar T Yeoh Aslam

3

4

 Amazing Journey Sukri R Burnett

4

4

 ELIZA PARK TROPHY,  CLASS 4 - 1700M

2

 Duke Greg P Roslan Sofhan

1

8

 Fire General Seet Cavallo

2

11

 Sassy Bee Bee Lam Woodworth

3

3

 Magic Triumph B T Lim Aify

4

5

 JAPAN BLOODHORSE BREEDERS ASSOCIATION TROPHY
  CLASS - 1400M      

5

 Jug Full S Cook W Hokai

1

8

 Speed Ranger A Rahim J Low

2

10

 Speed Winner Lam Vellaikannu

3

6

 I Am Sukri H S Gill

4

6

 DA MA CAI STAKES,  CLASS 4 - 1200M

8

 Rosa Parks K L Chong Azhar

1

3

 Sky Carrier K H Ng A Fiezan

2

6

 Asian Classic P Roslan Sofhan

3

10

 Historic Moment R Rogers Chuah

4

7

 YANG DI PERTUA NEGERI GOLD CUP - 2200M

14

 Professional Man K Coetzee Azhar

1

9

 Mighty Chic K Coetzee Saifudin

2

2

 Kiko's Return B T Lim E Legrix

3

11

 Yakin Brogan Salee

3
  *Deadheat for 3rd      

8

 MALAYSIA 2000 MAGIC MILLIONS CLASSIC - 1200M

1

 Time Speed K Coetzee N Shahrul

1

3

 Jeram Fatt Choy Maynard H K Lim

2

2

 Happy Victory K Coetzee Azhar

3

4

 Jeram Delight Maynard Woodworth

4

9

 PENANG TURF CLUB SPECIAL STAKES
  CLASS 3 (HOME BASED) - 1400M  

10

 Pacific Gold S H Tan H K Lim

1

2

 Cizen Emperor Robert Azhar

2

5

 For Keeps Noordin Salee

3

1

 Greatly Tiang S John

4

10

 BUTTERWORTH HANDICAP,  CLASS 5 - 1700M

13

 Cloud City H S Lim J Low

1

11

 Work With Me Robert Woodworth

2

8

 Bullet Proof K L Chong Azhar

3

5

 Mighty Ace Osman R Burnett

4

11

 BUKIT MERTAJAM HANDICAP,  CLASS 5 - 1700M

1

 Battle General Seet A Chew

1

15

 She's A Darling R Rogers H K Lim

2

2

 Colourland Fighter Robert Azhar

3

11

 Wonderful Tycoon P Lee Woodworth

4