Awesome Storm blows away rivals

KUALA LUMPUR:  Feb 5, 2023
 
AWESOME STORM trashing his rivals to record his eighth win - SLTC photo
 

A last-minute change of rider did not stop AWESOME STORM from getting back into the winner's circle in the Metro A event over 1200m at Sungei Besi here today.

With nominated rider Tuan Ammar indisposed, fellow apprentice Fikri Ismail was charged with the ride on the odds-on favourite.

Fikri has never ridden the Phenomonons five-year-old but any doubt on the young lad handling the champion sprinter was laid to rest as soon as the field jumped.

AWESOME STORM was the first to break and had a clear lead from the start. Thereafter he led his rivals on a merry chase, romping home by 5 1/4 lengths in the set-weight event. It was the gelding's eighth win in 12 starts in Malaysia.

AWESTORM STORM, who won once in five starts in Australia, was unbeaten in his first six starts, culminating with his runaway win (by 8 1/2 lengths) in the Tunku Gold Cup (1200m) in April last year.

Since then, there have been two uncharacteristically disappointing runs but like a good horse he is, AWESOME STORM  has bounced back. 

Fikri, as expected, was grateful for the opportunity to ride the top sprinter. "The horse was impressive and I am happy for the ride," he said.

"AWESOME STORM is back winning in style," said trainer Simon Dunderdale. "Fikri rode him very well especially as he had never sat on him before."

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

1 

 CLASS 5 - 1400M
7 D'GREAT MAGIC EP Tan MM Mirdaus

1
  (8 b/br.a.g Mulaazem - Sweet Misery by Tayasu Tsuyoshi)  
2 Fardus M Sukri Y Aify

2
6 Enforce HY Cheng S Ruzaini

3
9 Trinity General SY Lim V Espindola

4
 

2

 CLASS 5 - 1400M
4 NOVA FACTOR CC Ooi MM Firdaus

1
  (7 gr/roan.am.g The Factor - Super Cub by Old Trieste)  
1 Sahm M Sukri R Nuqman

2
10 Lim's Torpedo R Lines S Ruzaini

3
8 Night Light HY Cheng H Arif

4
 

3

 CLASS 5 - 1600M
5 MAESTRO I Ismadi AK Lim

1
  (7 br.nz.g He's Remarkable - Bella Carolina by O'Reilly)  
1 Skyscraper AB Abdullah HS Gill

2
2 Harvest KC Tiang V Espindola

3
10 Silver Joy HY Cheng KC Tham

4
 

4

 CLASS 4 - 1500M
9 LUPIN MW Teh HS Gill

1
  (5 b.a.g Gingerbread Man - Deemed Priceless by Anabaa)  
5 Mr Hopkins F Maynard KC Tham

2
3 Mr Hanks MP Thwaites V Espindola

3
6 Shoqeet AB Abdullah AK Lim

4
 

5

 OPEN MAIDEN (WFA) - 1500M
2 DAN IMPACT R Lines S Ruzaini

1
  (4 b.a.g Real Impact - Villa De Madrid by Mossman)  
1 Suspicious Mind S Dunderdale R Nuqman

2
9 Big China SY Lim S Sia

3
3 Top Gun S Dunderdale S Salee

4
 

6

 METRO A (SW) - 1200M
1 AWESOME STORM S Dunderdale I Fikri

1
  (5 br.a.g Phenomenons - Forewarning by Magic Albert)  
2 Xena HY Cheng S Ruzaini

2
3 Eclipse Splash F Maynard KC Tham

3
4 Distinctive Darci R Lines KH Chong

4
 

7

 CLASS 4 - 1200M
2 ACROBAT R Lines WK Lee

1
  (7 ch.nz.g Pins - Turf Fire by O'Reilly)  
7 Happy Thirtynine MP Thwaites R Nuqman

2
5 Andado SY Lim S Sia

3
10 Harveywallbanger R Lines S Ruzaini

4
 

8

 CLASS 5 - 1100M
10 BATTLESTAR S Hamilton KC Tham

1
  (5 b.a.g Hinchinbrook - Mysticallt by Forest Wildcat)  
5 Lim's Unique L Moy I Fikri

2
4 Invisible R Lines WK Lee

3
9 Vain Tycoon HY Cheng HK Cheng

4
 

9

 CLASS 5 - 1100M
9 DARCI SUPER S Hamilton KC Tham

1
  (9 br.nz.g Darci Brahma - Sriwijaya by Last Tycoon)  
8 I Am Midas S Siva M Ewe

2
5 Kubera's Chief SY Lim R Nuqman

3
7 Simlong Beach S Hamilton S Salee

4