Honor goes to Banker in Merdeka Cup
After two disappointing recent results, Banker’s Honor (NZ) (Ocean Park) bounced back in style to win the RM100,000 Merdeka Cup over 1800m at Selangor racecourse in Malaysia on Sunday.
The Ocean Park gelding went into the RM1mil Selangor Mile last month on the back of three wins in four starts but raced in the rear early after being drawn widest in the 1600m test. He ran on strongly to finish right on the heels of the first four across the line.
Two weeks ago, Banker’s Honor contested a Supreme A race over the same trip but finished out of the money in sixth spot.
Over a more suitable trip today, the five-year-old settled much close to the pace in third spot, with Always A Gentleman showing the way from Pacific Sky.
Banker’s Honor and Anjou Crown ranged alongside Pacific Sky at the 100m and in a three-way tussle to the line, Banker’s Honor got up to win by a short head from Pacific Sky. Anjou Crown was a head away third.
“He (Banker’s Honor) jumped well and was a bit keen early,” said jockey Joe Kamaruddin who rode Banker’s Honor in his last three runs, winning once.
“Before the first corner they started to slow down and my horse was travelling nicely on the bridle.
“I asked him for an effort in the final 400m and he responded well.”
“He was a bit disappointing in his last two starts, but then he is basically a good 1800m, 2000m horse,” said trainer Johnny Lim.
Lim gave credit to Kamaruddin for a patient ride on Banker’s Honor and said the New Zealand-bred will likely face the starters in the Selangor Gold Cup (1,600m) on Sept 27 next.
“I told the boy not to wake him up too early and just put him in his comfort zone this time,” he said.
“The box seat helped. He also rode him very well.
“It’s a roll of the dice and we were lucky we won in that three-way fight in the end.
“I will probably back him off. He is nominated in the NZB Open Championship next week, but we’ll see how he pulls up, but he most likely won’t run.
“After that, I will drop him back to the mile in the Selangor Gold Cup.”
The RM300,000 NZB Open Championship (1400m) on Saturday has attracted a top-notch field of 13 runners including Platinum Emperor (NZ) (Sweynesse), Antipodean (NZ) (Derryn) and the recent Ipoh Ladies Gold Vase winner Lucky Magic (NZ) (Mendelssohn).
