KUALA LUMPUR: July 11, 2025

In a shock – but perhaps tactical – move, owner Yee Kin Kong has transferred Antipodean back to champion trainer Simon Dunderdale less than a month (on Jun 23) prior to the running of the RM1 million Selangor Mile (1600m) for four-year-olds at Sungai Besi next Sunday (Jul 13).

The inaugural Selangor Mile is the first million-ringgit race since the outbreak of Covid-19 which curtailed racing and saw dwindling attendances and turnover after racing resumed with reduced prizemoney all round.

It marks Selangor Turf Club’s commitment to rejuvenate excellence in horse racing and providing unparalleled opportunities for owners, trainers and jockeys.

The Club has already provided a substantial increase in prize money this year, along with significant enhancements to its facilities.

Antipodean was one of the stars of 2024 with nine wins and a second in 10 starts during the year, taking out the two three-year-old features – the 3YO Pacific Cup (1200m) and the New Zealand Bloodstock 3YO Trophy (1400m).

As a measure of his class, the son of Derryn also captured the Selangor Gold Cup (1600m) and Sports Toto Supreme Challenge Cup (1400m) against all-comers.

Yee, however, apparently had a fallout with Dunderdale and transferred all his string of horses to trainer Tiang Kim Choi at the end of last season.

Under Tiang, Antipodean has started five times this season for a win, two seconds and two thirds. Not bad results, one might say.

But when it comes to the big races, he fell just short – third to Pacific Padrino in the Chinese New Year Prosperity Trophy (1600m), second to Noah Khan in the Tunku Gold Cup (1200m) and third to Pacific Victory in the 4YO Sprint Championship (1200m).

In that latest start, Antipodean was very uncomfortable making his bid next to the rails and was inclined to hang out, as he is more used to powering home in the middle of the track.

Antipodean’s return to the stables of Dunderdale took many by surprise. But for whatever reason, the Australian gelding should benefit from the move.

It’s left to be seen what kind of wonders Dunderdale could work on the gelding in the short time he is back with him.

But certainly, Antipodean’s return to his yards has enhanced his chances in the Selangor Mile.

Besides Antipodean, Dunderdale also has Valois, Hypeman and Shinjuku in the Selangor Mile but all of them have yet to be proven to the level Antipodean has achieved.

With the ever-popular Bernardo Pinheiro back to thrill Malaysian racegoers, the Brazilian has been quickly snatched up by the connections of Antipodean.

Even though Pinheiro just returned to Malaysia and will be in action for the first time tomorrow, he knows the horse well. He rode the gelding five times for four wins last year, including winning the 3YO Pacific Cup and the Selangor Gold Cup.

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