Golden Target for two outsiders

KUALA LUMPUR:  Mar 26, 2022
 

TARGET, who went down third to STREETS OF FIRE over 1400m in his last start, turned the tables on the latter when they met again today over 1600m in a mixed Classes 2 & 3 race at Sungei Besi.

Since their last clash, STREETS OF FIRE has gone on to finish third twice in Metro A set-weight events over 1600m and based on that results, was installed the odds-on favourite (RM9) in seemingly weaker field today.

TARGET, who came from a long way back in the field last time, settled well up with the pace today. Both TARGET and STREETS OF FIRE went after the pacemaker CHONKY POTATO at the 200m.

STREETS OF FIRE hit the front momentarily soon after but the leader fought back gamely and TARGET was steadying for a run in between them.

TARGET responded best under jockey Calvin Goon in the closing stages to beat STREETS OF FIRE by half a length. The winner paid RM113 for his third win in Malaysia.

Trainer Charles Leck attributed his win to the change of jockey (from apprentice in his last run to a senior rider).

"The horse was his usual self and went in good today. The longer trip also also helped," said Leck.

The American gelding, winner of one race in Ireland, also picked up three wins in Singapore.
 
The other mixed Classes 2 and 3 race today over 1100m saw a 1-2 finish for outsiders GOLDEN TYCOON and SYMBOL OF COURAGE.

GOLDEN TYCOON scored five wins in 2019 and 2020 but has been unplaced in six races since last September.

The son of Pins displayed his old dash when he made all the running and then held off the challenge of SYMBOL OF COURAGE win by three-quarter of a length. He paid RM183 for a win.

"The horse wasn't expected to win in a strong field," said winning jockey Jackson Low. "I was instructed to ride a forward race and he just kept going."

Trainer Cheng Han Yong said: "He is a good horse but has not won in a while and is meeting a strong field this time. Low followed my instructions and did a good job on the horse."

MOON FACE, who scored a runaway win two weeks ago, started as the RM6 favourite. But he was given every chance racing just behind the pace and had to settle for third placing.

  RESULTS AT A GLANCE:   Tote No / Horse / Trainer / Jockey / Position
 

1 

 CLASS 5 - 1200M
3 SMART MASTER SY Lim SU Lim

1
  (8 b/br.a.g Reaan - Thawaabet by Nadeem)  
10 Horse King V Sivan AK Lim

2
7 Black Is Power HY Cheng J De Souza

3
1 Little Mermaid KC Tiang CK Khaw

4
 

2

 CLASS 5 - 1200M
1 GRATUS S Dundersale J Low

1
  (7 br.nz.g Rip Van Winkle - Moirai by Not A Single Doubt)  
5 Big G SY Lim SU Lim

2
10 Roti Kaya HY Cheng HS Gill

3
6 Golden Touch AB Andullah AK Lim

4
 

3

 CLASS 5 - 1200M
9 TRINITY UP V Sivan CK Khaw

1
  (7 b.nz.g Pour Moi - November Rain by Stravinsky)  
3 Japan Captain WC Lim Y Aify

2
5 Magic Player HY Cheng J Low

3
6 Counter Attack C Leck Clyde Leck

4
 

4

 CLASS 3 - 1100M
4 KONG FU PANDA KC Tiang J Low

1
  (3 b.nz.g Showcasing - Hermitage by Generous)  
8 Drone R Lines WW Cheah

2
7 Melting Point HY Cheng J De Souza

3
6 Vietnam Captain MP Thwaites HS Gill

4
 

5

 OPEN MAIDEN (WFA) - 1600M
11 MENTAL C Leck Clyde Leck

1
  (3 b.nz.f Ocean Park - Dubrovnik by Medaglia D'Oro)  
2 Rings Of Fire AB Abdullah HS Gill

2
1 Air Boss S Hamilton Y Aify

3
5 Kala Ghoda L Moy I Fikri

4
 

6

 CLASS 4 - 1700M
10 SMART RACER C Leck Clyde Leck

1
  (8 b.a.g Canford Cliffs - La Strada by Redoute's Choice)  
6 Unstoppable Giant S Hamilton HS Gill

2
1 Legend War HY Cheng HK Cheng

3
11 Little Pony KC Tiang J Low

4
 

7

 CLASSES 2 & 3 - 1600M
2 TARGET C Leck C Goon

1
  (9 b.am.g War Front - Temperence Gift by Kingmambo)  
1 Streets Of Fire KC Tiang J De Souza

2
11 Chonky Potato C Leck AK Lim

3
3 D'Great Light S Siva J Low

4
 

8

 CLASSES 2 & 3 - 1100M
10 GOLDEN TYCOON HY Cheng J Low

1
  (7 ch.nz.g Pins - Paris Carver by Fast 'N' Famous)  
7 Symbol Of Courage R Lines CK Khaw

2
3 Moon Face S Dunderdale J De Souza

3
11 Burkaan AB Abdullah Y Aify

4
 

9

 CLASS 5 - 1200M
6 THE SAINT S Dunderdale J Daniel

1
  (5 b.e.g Harbour Watch - Faery Song by Lawman)  
11 Boom Almighty R Lines WK Lee

2
9 Autumn Blitz SY Lim SU Lim

3
1 Big Bank V Sivan CK Khaw

4
 

10

 CLASS 5 - 1200M
11 TUN O'REILLY S Hamilton S Salee

1
  (7 b.nz.g O'Reilly - Winsome Kash by Kashani)  
2 Obsidian C Leck Clyde Leck

2
9 Black Mamba V Sivan M Ekdihar

3
7 Lucky Justice S Dunderdale J Daniel

4
 

11

 CLASS 5 - 1200M
3 GOLDEN DRAGON R Lines S Sia

1
  (11 blk.a.g West Quest - Still Bragging by Jetball)  
9 Clarton Supreme SY Lim M Ekdihar

2
11 Merchant Marine C Leck HS Gill

3
5 Richie Rich HY Cheng J Low

4