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CHEVAL
BLANC proved that his shock win last month was no fluke when he romped to an
easy win in the Metro A set-weight event over 1300m at Sungai Besi here
today.
The Red Jazz gelding was imported into Singapore after finishing on board in
all his eight starts at two and three in his native Ireland, winning once
and came in fourth in four black-type races.
Racing as YULONG JAZZ, he made 19 appearances at Kranji winning twice over
1600m and 1800m in Class 4.
CHEVAL BLANC returned lame in his final race in Singapore in November last
year. After failing to get him fit again, he was finally sent over to
trainer Frank Maynard last July.
Under his new trainer, the now eight-year-old shocked punters when he
took
out a Class 3 - 1200m sprint in his Malaysian debut, returning RM210 on the
win tote. It was his first race for 12 months.
Meeting much stronger opposition — including the likes of VIOLET, WHITE HOOF
BIRD (who started favourite) and SAN ANDREAS — this time proved no barrier
for CHEVAL BLANC, who romped home by 2 1/4 lengths.
CHEVAL BLANC tracked the pacemaker VIOLET from the
start, settling n second spot. VIOLET held on his advantage into the
straight with RONALDO'S DREAM coming through on the rails and CHEVAL BLANC
on his outside.
RONALDO'S DREAM hit the front momentarily
approaching the 200m when VIOLET came under pressure. CHEVAL BLANC, yet to
hit top gear, loomed on the outside.
But once he found his strides in
the final 150m, CHEVAL BLANC drew away easily to win handsomely.
"It's a nice win to beat a horse like WHITE HOOF BIRD who I have a lot of
respect for," said Maynard.
"(The preparation came) a bit late for the Piala Emas Sultan Selangor but he
will run in the Penang Gold Cup next week. That's was always the plan.
Hopefully, he pulls up well after today's race.
"The two wins will bring him on nicely for the Penang race over 2000m. His
record in Ireland shows that he can go further than that. He will be a
lightweight chance in the Cup."
"He is very steady in the barrier and jumped out on the bit," said jockey
Tham Kin Chong who has ridden him in both his two runs in Malaysia so far.
"I kept him a handy second, let him changed legs once making the home turn
and again in the straight. He just kicked away in the closing stages."
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