3 minute read

A frustrating afternoon in his debut meeting at Sungai Besi today turned out well for trainer Ricky Choi Chun Wai in the end when Wealthyness outclassed his rivals to win by six lengths in the final race (Class 5A – 1200m).

The day started disappointingly for the former Macau-based trainer when his first runner Lucky To Win finished a tame seventh after punters had sent the Deep Field gelding out the odds-on favourite.

His next runner Luen On Feelings gave a good showing of himself, finishing third behind Noah Khan in the next race.

Who Love To Dance probably found the trip too short in the main event, the Metro A set-weight 1400m contest won by Berry Bliss, and was never seen with a chance.

Choi's next runner Oriental Halflamma started odds-on but found Big Bad Mama too good, going down second, 5-1/4 lengths behind the winner.

Brother Lian'an was well-backed but finished sixth.

Choi's next runner Handsome Joyful tried to make all the running but ended up third.

Wealthyness , a winner of six races in Macau, redeemed some pride for Choi when he out-sprinted them all, leading from start to finish.

"This horse worked and trialled impressively recently, so we are confident he will run very well against today's field," said jockey Low Kang Cheng who rode all but one (Who Love To Dance) of Choi's seven runners today.

"He did what I expected with a soft lead, travelling well and then winning easily."

While Wealthyness had been working well, the manner of his win surprised Choi.

"The horse had failed many times on wet tracks in Macau," said Choi of the Divine Prophet six-year-old.

"The track was rated 'yielding' but it was more like 'soft' towards the end. The Selangor Turf Club track is much better than what we have at Taipa. 

"Anyway, I am happy that I managed to saddle a winner in my first meeting. It proved my decision to relocate to Malaysia was the right one.

"I am also thankful that many owners beleived in me and transfered their horses to me. Many of the 27 horses I have here were from other stables."

On his earlier results, Choi believed that it could have been better if the track had been firmer.

"A few of my runners were more accustomed to racing on sand (in Macau) so I wasn't sure how they would perform on the yielding track.

"Oriental Halflamma  was quite hopeless on the turf in Macau so it was a goof result for him to run second today."

"For all my runners, today's run was their first in at several months.

"It was good start for me today although it could have been better. I hope it gets better."