3 minute read

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."