Zankel bounces back in Anniversary Cup

PENANG,  20 Dec 2008
ZANKEL returns to scale with Saimee Jumaat astride.

It has taken ZANKEL two and a half years to show his true potential in the local circuit.

The New Zealand gelding, who cost NZ$200,000 as a yearling, landed in Singapore with a record of three wins in Australia including the RSL Vain Stakes and Port Adelaide Guineas, both listed races, and was placed twice in Group 3 races.

But ZANKEL (Carnegie - Happiness by Bluebird) managed only a minor win in 15 starts at Kranji and was shipped over to Malaysia at the tail-end of last year.

Six runs later and now trained by Johnny Lim, ZANKEL finally found his form to capture the RM150,000 Anniversary Cup (Classes 1 & 2) over 1700m here today, upsetting stablemate SAGAR'S GREAT in the process.

Azhar Ismail took a step closer to retaining his jockey's title when he booted home a double on SUCCESS FOREVER (Xaar - Never Let Up by No Mercy) and CIZEN EMPEROR (Woodborough - Lady Hundalee by Diplomatic Agent). That brought his tally to 54 winners for the season.

However, Benny Woodworth kept in touch when he won the opening race on SASSY BEE BEE (Stravinsky - Dance The Dance by Grosvenor) to remain one behind Azhar. Apprentice HS Gill, the revelation of the season, is one win further back after his success on CELESTIAL BLUE (Celestial Dancer - Corner by Cossack Warrior).

With just three race days to go before the season ends, it is going to be a tussle to the end.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE

1

 AIR ITAM HANDICAP,  MAIDEN - 1700M

3

 Sassy Bee Bee Lam Woodworth

1

4

 Hidalgo P Roslan Aify

2

7

 Natural Good Robert  Chong

3

2

 Golden Suprise A Rahim L L Tai

4

2

 GOLD COAST TURF CLUB TROPHY,  CLASS 5 - 1700M

13

 Speed Lion Lam Vellaikannu

1

6

 Lapidado Sukri Saifudin

2

4

 Esteem K Coetzee Cavallo

3

2

 Wings Of Honor Hoy A Lee

4

3

 GELUGOR HANDICAP,  MAIDEN - 1400M

1

 Mr Paint Man Robert D Chong

1

2

 Winner's Court F Nathan Mohammad

2

11

 Jeram New Power A Rahim H K Lim

3

9

 Bonnington Noordin Salee

4

4

 PERTH RACING TROPHY,  CLASS 5 - 1400M

1

 Celestial Blue P Roslan H S Gill

1

9

 Dominic S H Tan H K Lim

2

7

 Royal Chief Sukri Sofhan

3

4

 Fifty Fifty McGillivray L Ho

4

5

 TANJONG BUNGAH HANDICAP,  CLASS 5 - 1400M

7

 Success Forever K Coetzee Azhar

1

2

 Wunderbar McGillivray Saifudin

2

6

 Golden Hawk S Liew Cavallo

3

4

 Cizen Tycoon Robert R Jasmin

4

6

 SOUTH AUSTRALIAN JOCKEY CLUB TROPHY
  CLASS 5 - 1200M      

14

 Zambucca Tennent A Fiezan

1

16

 No Kidding S Cook Vellaikannu

2

15

 Royal Currency Sukri Sofhan

3

7

 Diamond Ferry P K Leong S John

4

7

 ANNIVERSARY CUP,  CLASSES 1 & 2 - 1700M

5

 Zankel B T Lim Saimee

1

2

 Sagar's Great B T Lim H S Gill

2

3

 Colourland Supreme Robert Azhar

3

6

 Continuance R Lines S John

4

8

 DA MA CAI STAKES,  CLASS 4 - 1400M

1

 Cizen Emperor Robert Azhar

1

7

 Why Why West Pereira G Mathias

2

3

 Rousing Snow K C Hah Woodworth

3

10

 Dearly Precious S Liew A Chew

4

9

 BAYAN LEPAS HANDICAP,  CLASS 4 - 1400M

1

 Wu Jin S Liew C K Tan

1

14

 Arowana Police K H Ng D Chong

2

7

 Blue Shark S Cook W Hokai

3

9

 Gold Lion K C Hah Woodworth

4