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KIKO'S RETURN, who reeled
off seven consecutive wins from mid-2007 to mid-2008 including the Perak
Derby this time last year, was back in the winner's circle when he triumphed
in the RM600,000 Selangor Gold Cup over 1600m at Sungei Besi here today.
In just four starts since
his last success last June, KIKO'S RETURN (Minardi - Joe's Girl by Amalgam)
finished third in the Piala Emas Sultan Selangor, third in the Coronation
Cup and third in the Yang Di Pertua Negeri Gold Cup.
Racing for the first time
since the Gold Cup in December, the Johnny Lim trained five-year-old failed
to get going early and was the last horse to turn for home at the home bend.
But KIKO'S RETURN unleashed
a terrific burst of speed to overhaul all runners to win by two lengths.
COLOURLAND SUPREME finished second, ahead of JOKER TREASURE.
His success today, his
eighth in 16 starts, also brought his earnings past the RM1,190,000 mark. A
great rags-to-riches story for a horse who cost NZ$28,000 at the South
Island Sale in 2005 but was subsequently sold for a reduced price of
NZ$20,000 at the Ready To Run Sale.
For trainer Johnny Lim, it
was his second consecutive Selangor Gold Cup having won with SHANTOU MAYOR
(who was unplaced today) last year.
Din Azis, who was supposed
to a spectator in the race, was a last-minute replacement for the indisposed
Saimee Jumaat and went on to register his second big success on this track,
after having captured the Piala Emas Sultan Selangor on TRIGGER EXPRESS last
June.
In Singapore, Din Azis also
won the Patron's Bowl on ROYAL CAPTAIN in 2005 and the Singapore Derby
astride LIM'S PRESTIGE in 2007.
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