IPOH GOLD VASE PREVIEW SUN 16 JUNE

The G1 BYD Ipoh Gold Vase down the 1100m straight course returns to the Malaysia turf calendar for the first time since Volcanic General made it successive victories in the race back in 2019. This year’s edition has attracted the best of the nation’s sprinters, including the first four place getters in the Selangor G1 Tunku Gold Cup (TGC) in mid-April.

CHEVAL BLANC (4) will be racing first up since winning the TGC as he searches for his second group success at only his sixth start in the country. The 9yo came off a two month break when winning the group feature last start and enters Sunday’s contest with a similar preparation. Trainer Frank Maynard has prepared three Gold Vase winners and will also be represented by CHINESE TEA (5), which has the capacity to win a group race.

CHINESE TEA (5) had been dealt a blow with sticky barrier draws at his first two runs in group one company but was able to lead most of the way when finishing a close up 4th in the TGC from gate 10.

TGC runner up KONG FU PANDA (10) has placed three times at group level and this will be his first start down the 1100m straight. The 5yo Kiwi bred has an excellent first up record (5w/9sts) and the KC Tiang stable is in good form at the moment.

His stable mate SUPER HAPPY (9) is at the top of his game chalking up 4 wins on the bounce and has proved dominant in the higher grades at KL in recent months. This will be his first foray at group level and is capable of measuring up.

Progressive 5yo SHIMI GO (11) was one of the market elects in the TGC and performed admirably at his first group run when placed 3rd after racing on the pace. The HY Cheng trained gelding is a quality galloper and his early speed will pace him in good stead.

The highly rated AWESOME STORM (1) will be facing a big test with the 59kg impost but he still has the class to win on best form and should not be excluded.

GAMESTONKS (2) is a speedy type with a good record of 8 wins from 14 starts in the country but is yet to prove himself at group one level. The 7yo had every chance in the TGC when finishing midfield prior to his last start Ipoh win on May 11.

GOOD FIGHT (3) enjoyed a stellar 2023 season, taking out the Perak G1 Coronation Cup plus the Listed Sports Toto Supreme Challenge in KL along with the Listed Ipoh Charity Cup. The 6yo will be third up this campaign as he backs up from his unplaced performance in KL last Sunday.

The interesting runner is SENGON SOLOMON (6), formerly known to Singapore racing fans as The August, and will be debuting for the SY Lim stable. The 8yo resumes after finishing 3rd in a Kranji Stakes race on April 13 and could surprise at decent odds.

Ipoh Gold Vase Selections: (4) CHEVAL BLANC, (11) SHIMI GO, (5) CHINESE TEA, (9) SUPER HAPPY