Kuala Lumpur, Dec 2, 2025

Despite not having a run since Oct 12, trainer Winson Cheng Han Yong declared it’s all systems go for Lucky Magic in the RM400,000 Piala Emas Sultan Selangor (2000m) at Sungai Besi on Sunday.

“He’s fit and ready but in a race such as this, we also need a bit of luck in the running,” said Cheng.

“Hopefully we don’t get a wet track like the last time.”

After winning the RM1mil Selangor Mile (1600m) and Selangor Gold Cup (1600m), Lucky Magic failed to land a blow when he plodded home sixth to Antipodean in the NZB Ready To Run Championship (1400m) which was run on a yielding track.

“We expected it (not handling the track condition last start). I hope it doesn’t rain on Sunday.”

Many expected the Selangor Mile trio of Lucky Magic, Good Star and Antipodean to figure prominently at the finish in the Cup on Sunday.

Good Star, who went down by a neck to Lucky Magic in the RM1mil race, has since come out to win three of his five starts, and was unfortunate to dislodge his rider in the Selangor Gold Cup.

The son of Shalaa won the Merdeka Cup (1800m) in August and comes into the race fresh from capturing the Coronation Cup (1600m) three weeks ago.

With jockey Ridzuan Shafiq committed to Lucky Magic, trainer Mahadi Taib has robbed in jockey Joe Kamaruddin to ride Good Star.

“I have seen him (Kamaruddin) riding in the past few weeks and I think he can do the job,” said Mahadi.

“He has been working the horse every day since last Monday. I wanted him to have a good understanding with the horse.”

Quite a few people were surprised to see Antipodean being nominated for the Cup, given that the horse has not raced beyond 1600m.

“He (Antipodean) always switches off in his races, then come home. (Blaike) McDougall thinks he can stay the distance (2000m),” said trainer Simon Dunderdale.

“He has not raced beyond 1600m but you never know.”

Rated at 112, Antipodean is 14 points higher than the next horse, Lucky Magic. McDougall will be flying in to ride him in the Cup.

Latin Legend is one horse who desperately want to get the better of Good Star.

The first time the pair met, Latin Legend beat Good Star in a Supreme B race but since then, Latin Legend has play bridesmaid to Good Star three times in a row.

Trainer Nick Selvan is hoping for better luck this time. “Latin Legend was unlucky in those races and he is in very good form.”

But one horse who has the ability and proven record to upstage them all is Always A Gentleman.

A group 1 winner in his Brazil, the son of USA stallion Put It Back unfortunately failed to show any sort of form in two runs in Hong Kong and was shipped out here.

“He did not acclimatise in Hong Kong,” said trainer Lawson Moy. “He has acclimatised better in Malaysia.

Always A Gentleman has have four runs in the country for a second and two fourth-place finishes.

“The distance will suit him and he is primed for the race.”

Trainer Richard Lines will have two runners in the Cup – Kim Emperor and Flying Nemo.

“Kim Emperor is an out-and-out stayer. Flying Nemo, if he jumps well, who knows.”

 Frank Maynard, back recently after undergoing knee surgery in Perth, said Sousui and Navy Seals might be out of their depth in the Cup.

“But both of them are very fit,” he said.

Jason Ong, who is most certainly assured of the championship title, will saddle Big Hearted, Pacific Padrino and Pacific Warrior.

Shirvo, trained by Wayne Lim, and Banker’s Two Six (Johnny Lim) make up the 14-horse field with Smart Star having been withdrawn after a dismal showing last Sunday.

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