This Saturday, September 8, 2007 sees the inaugural running of the Heat 1 Da Ma Cai Malaysia Three-Year-Old Championship at the Penang Turf Club.  Penang based trainers are putting the final touches on their charges for the most talk about championship in Malaysia. 

Leading the pack of eight runners at the Penang Turf Club is Wowdonna with the highest handicap of 53 and Colourland Way with a handicap of 44.  Lim Hoon Seng and Cecil Robert train these two charges respectively.  Another likely favourite is newcomer Penang Warrior trained by K C Tiang.

Ever since the commencement of the Heat 1 at the Perak Turf Club on August 8, the three-year-old championship has drawn a lot of attention from the racing fans around Malaysia as it is widely known for its thrilling and exciting clashes.  At the last Heat 1 at Selangor Turf Club, Mighty Triple Ace virtually ‘steals’ the Heat 1 in his debut run to beat favourites Brightandbeautiful and Medicine Man.

While Perak Turf Club has completed all its three heats, the second and third heats of the Selangor Turf Club is scheduled on September 29 and 30.  The five Perak Turf Club horses heading to the final in November are Jazzmint Delight, Hot Ego, Speedy Wind, Easy Speed and Happy Victory with Kaka on standby.

Held at the previous heats in Perak and Selangor, the Scratch and Win Contest will now move up north to give the Penang racing fans a treat.  Attractive championship collectables like hanging pens, caps, pouches and t-shirts will be distributed through the contest. The championship mascots, the Sang Kudas will be at the Penang Turf Club to welcome the fans.  The Heat 2 and 3 of the Penang Turf Club are scheduled on October 15 and 21, 2007.

Mr John Alexander Rodgers, Committee Member of Penang Turf Club and a member of the Championship Organising Committee said, “We will be launching the first of a series of three Heats for Penang Turf Club.  To commemorate this event, we are having a school band and a lion and dragon dance, as they are both very auspicious animals.  Hopefully, this Da Ma Cai Malaysia 3-Year-Old Championship will attract more racing fans and owners into the sports of horse racing.  We warmly welcome all racing fans to a very colourful and exciting Saturday at the races.”

Sponsored by Pan Malaysian Pools Sdn Bhd, the Da Ma Cai Malaysia 3-Year-Old Championship is made up of three home-based heats running at each turf club in Penang, Perak and Selangor.  The prize money for each heat is RM75,000.  The winner of each home-based heat will automatically qualifies together with two second placed horses in the final.  The third second-placed horse will be reserved as Emergency Acceptor.

There will be five finalists from each turf club and the final will feature a total of 15 starters and each starter will qualified for an appearance fee of RM10,000.  The RM250,000 Championship Final for this year will be held on November 4, 2007 at the Selangor Turf Club.  The other two turf clubs will take turn to hold the final with Penang Turf Club hosting the final in 2008 and Perak Turf Club in 2009.

En Tommy Noordin, The President of The West Malaysian Racehorse Trainers Association said, “This is a fantastic championship and all the Trainers are very happy and will give their fullest support.” 

He further added, “Even small horse owners are very keen to buy better quality horses to compete next year.  The appearance fees of RM10,000 is a great attraction and if the stakes money can be increased next year, it will be an added boost.”

For more information, please contact Ms Adeline Khoo, Penang Turf Club at Tel : 04-2293233.