Golden Sardine shines in thrilling win

KUALA LUMPUR:  Jun 4, 2023
 

GOLDEN SARDINE snatched a thrilling win in the Class 3 - 1300m handicap at Sungei Besi here today to make it three wins from eight since making his debut some seven months ago.

The Iffraaj gelding arrived in the country with a record of one win and one second in six outings in New Zealand.

GOLDEN SARDINE made an uninspiring start to his local campaign when he finished last in his debut. But he quickly showed improvement in his next two runs before scoring an easy win over 1300m in Penang last March, which he followed up with another win the same month. Both wins were achieved in Class 4.

After being unplaced in his next two runs against much stronger company,  (in races won by BIG DOCTOR and SINCERELY respectively), GOLDEN SARDINE is back in the winner's circle today but having to fight hard for his success.

The five-year-old settled nicely in midfield early behind the early pace set by RUNNING FLAME and GOOD FIGHT. The latter took a clear lead making the turn into the straight while GOLDEN SARDINE moved up to third and then second at the top of the straight.

GOOD FIGHT was holding on well to his lead until the 100m when GOLDEN SARDINE, hard ridden all the way in the straight by Ruzaini Supien, drew almost level. Just then D'GREAT TIMING was flashing home on the outside.

GOLDEN SARDINE managed to get up in the last couple of strides to beat GOOD FIGHT by a short head, with D'GREAT TIMING finishing third.

GOLDEN SARDINE is a half-brother to NOVA STRIKE, who won 10 races in Singapore and Malaysia before being retired last year, and NEVERTHELESS, who has already six wins to his name in Malaysia.

"A pretty good type," said Ruzaini who rode him twice before without success. "He surprised me today, fighting all the way to victory. I think he has a bright future."

"The horse is well bred from New Zealand which suit my training," said trainer Cheng Han Yong. "Ruzaini followed by instructions and did a good job."

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

1 

 CLASS 5 - 1600M
4 KING OF GLORY R Lines S Saddam

1
  (8 ch.am.g Stay Thirsty - Jewels Pride by Rubiano)  
8 Black Taipan HY Cheng R Nuqman

2
6 Cher T Asogan S Ruzaini

3
2 Sha Na Na SY Lim SU Lim

4
 

2

 CLASS 5 - 1600M
7 TIN'S MACHINE WC Lim M Lukman

1
  (6 b.nz.g Roc De Cambes - En Garde by Duelled)  
10 Speedy Swallow E Breukelen S Saddam

2
12 Be Yourself HY Cheng J Low

3
5 MGR Rocket T Asogan Y Aify

4
 

3

 CLASS 5 - 1300M
6 GENERAL CHENG KC Tiang MM Firdaus

1
  (7 gr.a.g Pitleco - Dancing Feet by Middle Kingdom)  
2 Race For Fame AB Abdullah E Ferreira

2
4 Amazing Choice F Maynard A Nazir

3
3 Fardus M Sukri R Nuqman

4
 

4

 CLASS 5 - 1300M
7 ICHIKA BACHIKA S Dunderdale R Nuqman

1
  (7 b.a.g Moshe - Memphis Dawn by Elvstroem)  
5 Golden Cup HY Cheng J Low

2
10 USA Captain K Coetzee Y Aify

3
6 Beijing Star HY Cheng M Ewe

4
 

5

 CLASS 5 - 1300M
3 MASTER BABY HY Cheng R Nuqman

1
  (4 b.nz.g Wrote - Mango Daiquiri by Cape Cross)  
11 Candy Man F Maynard A Nazir

2
7 Waimea L Moy I Fikri

3
4 Barbarian NM Selvan S Ruzaini

4
 

6

 CLASS 4 - 1500M
7 MICHIKAWA F Maynard A Nazir

1
  (5 b.nz.g Proisir - Lavalliere by Medaglia O'Oro)  
9 Sahm M Sukri R Nuqman

2
2 Najwan AB Abdullah M Ewe

3
8 Northern Star HY Cheng J Low

4
 

7

 CLASS 4 - 1200M
10 SOMAR T Asogan Y Aify

1
  (6 br.nz.g El Roca - Sun Chariot by Desert King)  
5 Ironclad R Lines WW Cheah

2
8 Golden Lightning WC Lim M Lukman

3
1 Gold Sky Billion K Ananthen R Nuqman

4
 

8

 CLASS 4 - 1200M
11 SKYLIGHT S Cook S Ruzaini

1
  (5 b/br.a.m Press Statement - Ashenti by Ashkalani)  
5 Handsome Boy HY Cheng R Nuqman

2
6 Steel Cutter MP Thwaites S Shazmin

3
7 Elite Saint I Ismadi I Fikri

4
 

9

 CLASS 3 - 1300M
8 GOLDEN SARDINE HY Cheng S Ruzaini

1
  (5 ch.nz.g Iffraaj - La Panthere by Generous)  
5 Good Fight S Dunderdale T Ammar

2
2 D'Great Timing R Lines WW Cheah

3
4 Sacred Guru F Maynard HS Gill

4
 

10

 CLASS 5 - 1100M
5 DESIRE SKY R Lines S Shazmin

1
  (9 b.nz.g Pins - Collection Girl by Last Tycoon)  
7 Autumn Blitz WC Lim M Lukman

2
4 Stardice S Hamilton R Nuqman

3
12 Sing Roulette S Siva R Rueven

4
 

11

 CLASS 5 - 1100M
1 LEO S Siva S Shazmin

1
  (8 b.nz.g Bullbars - Midnight Snippets by Danroad)  
6 Unleash The Dragon AB Abdullah E Ferreira

2
9 Gain Eclipse F Maynard A Najib

3
5 Alpha Sonic KC Tiang R Nuqman

4
 

12

 CLASS 5 - 1100M
11 SO BEAUTIFUL S Siva E Ferreira

1
  (7 b.a.m Statue Of Liberty - Lava Girl by Rock Of Gibraltar)  
12 Aragon Pegasus WC Lim M Lukman

2
7 Luke Man S Hamilton I Fikri

3
8 Winning Smile F Maynard A Nazir

4