Final batch of Sabah ponies arrive at STEC

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RHODIUM: Good for a seventh straight win.

KUCHING: The remaining five ponies from Sabah arrived yesterday to complete a consignment of 12 brought in to beef up the animal population and improve racing at the Sarawak Turf and Equestrian Club.

The new arrivals have increased the number of ponies at the STEC to over 40. They are also timely replacements for the 10 deletions (due to old age) from Class Five before the start of the Second Meeting on April 15.

“The final batch arrived safe and sound. They look good,” a top STEC official said yesterday.

It is learnt the new ponies could be snapped up soon as some owners are already showing a keen interest in them. Most probably, the ponies will be sold on a first-come-first-serve basis.

“We don’t mind subsidising a bit to encourage more ownership and improve local racing,” the official added.

So what’s next with the arrivals of all the 12 new ponies, seven of which have already been registered with the club?

“We are certainly going to continue improving racing at the Club. We’ll take it one step at a time” the official assured.

In fact, the club has already made two big moves to boost local racing – first, by importing the 12 ponies to bolster the animal population and secondly, by increasing the stakes money from the current (second) meeting.

These are steps in the right direction – and hopefully with more new owners, ponies, trainers and jockeys, local racing can regain the popularity and support it once enjoyed.

Meanwhile, on the second weekend (April 22) of the current race meeting, all eyes will again be on Rhodium.

The six-year-old grey pulverised the Class One field over 1000M last Sunday, striding out strongly down the homestraight to win hands down.

For that masterful display, the Tamizi Putit-trained galloper has copped 8kg and will now carry 67kg over a longer trip (1200M). Will that stop him?

On the stable grapevine, a higher handicap, especially 67kg, is not likely to hold back the Berjaya Stable’s ace whose chances are further boosted with champion MRA trainer K Coetzee’s former riding boy, Roslan Bujang, in the saddle.

Going to the line under double wraps on the first weekend, Rhodium has sent out a clear signal that he is no mood to end his six-race winning streak just yet – and will be looking to go seven straight up with one more class act.

Two of the newcomers have been promoted after occupying the first two placings in Class Four over 1000M on the first weekend.

Zorro came with a sustained run to score his maiden win by 6 1/2 lengths and was duly elevated to Class Three. The Sara Stable’s four-year-old showed plenty of heart in that victory and could still be the one to beat in the higher class but for a foot injury that has sidelined him this coming Sunday.

It’s nothing serious and should heal up after a rest, according to stable sources.

Bintang Kilong who finished second to Zorro but has also been pushed up class, showed plenty of pace in his maiden outing. With a stronger rider, the rangy three-year-old could show who is the boss in Class Three.

Class Four will pit three newcomers – Puteri Dang Balai, Elturius and Winning Mood – against each following one stratching, Budak Kampung who pulled up lame after finishing third over 1000M on the first weekend.

Elturius finished a distant third while Puteri Dang Balai and Winning Mood made no impression which is hardly a surprise since the trio are unknown quantities.

The long-legged Puteri Dang Balai has improved after her last start but will it be enough to break the ice in her second run?

According to track watchers, the four-year-old will have her work cut out with Elturius and even Precious Moment and Chenlimah ready to pounce.

In any event, the race should provide a useful gauge of the newcomers’ prowess.