FAITHFUL LEADER BRINGS RICH REWARD

Faithful Leader repaid the patience and faith of his connections when he outsprinted Tunku Gold Cup winner Noah Khan to bag the RM100,000 Perak Turf Club Comminity Shield over 1200m in Ipoh today.

Drawn widest in a field of 10, the Australian gelding quickly overcame the disadvantage to lead the field on settling down under jockey Saddam Hussein Saari who was riding him for the first time. It was also the Super One six-year-old’s first race away from Sungai Besi.

Faithful Leader made a four-length from January with another one and a half length to Elliot Ness. Next came Noah Khan and Vincent’s Star, winner of his last four starts, and Super Salute who had to shoulder 60kg after winning the NZB Walter Vijay Trophy over 1300m last week.

Faithful Leader kept up his advantage making the turn into the straight. January was still in the chase at the 400m with Noah Khan moving up next just ahead of Elliot Ness and Vincent’s Star. Super Salute struggled to get going under his weight.

But there was not catching Faithful Leader. Although hanging out over the concluding stages, he had 3-1/4 lengths to spare from Noah Khan. Another 2-1/2 lengths away came January who held on well.

“I didn’t know we will be coming up against Noah Khan and Super Salute,” said trainer Richard Lim. “It was only when the weights came out that I saw their names.”

“He (Faithful Leader) did well the last three runs in Kuala Lumpur so I thought he had a good chance here (in the Cimmunity Shield).”

Faithful Leader, bought for A$47,500 at an online sale after chalking up one win and two minor placings from just four runs in Austraia, quickly proved his worth with a second on debut and a win in Class 4 in Singapore.

“He had a tendon problem and after he returned to training, he was injured again,” said Lim. “That was why I gave him a long time on the sidelines to recover.”

Faithful Leader was out of racing for 24 months before making his comeback in January, by which time both horse and trainer had recolated to Kuala Lumpur following the closure of racing at Kranji.

Faithful Leader was unplaced in his Malaysia debut but quickly stepped it up to win his next start in Class 3.

He had another unplaced run, then found one to beat in Energy Baby and Antipodean over 1200m and 1400m respectively. He attempted to lead all the way over 1400m two weeks ago but ended up just two lengths behind Energy Baby.

“It’s simple with Faithful Leader. He either leads in his races or he goes with the pace,” added Lim who also said the gelding will next head to Penang for the RM250,000 Farewell Trophy on May 31.

“I had to use him up a little to get to the front,” said Saddam. “I had five horses inside of me vying for the lead after the start.”

“But he was always travelling comfortably in front and never looked like surrendering his lead.”

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