With just over a month to go to the RM1mil Selangor Mile (1600m), yet another Banker’s Stable horse has emerged as a strong contender for the biggest prize for four-year-olds in thre country.

This one – Banker’s Honor – might live up to his name and beat them all.

The Ocean Park galloper ‘toyed’ with his opposition with a come-from-behind performance that suggests he will be right in the money on Jul 26.

Banker’s Honor landed in Malaysia with a win and four placings over staying distances in 11 starts in country tracks in Australia.

All it took trainer Johnny Lim was one (debut) run over 1400m to get Banker’s Honor going, with the gelding winning second-up over 1800m in Class 4A. This was followed by a runaway win over 2000m in a Supreme C contest in April.

Amongst the horses be beat that day included the Piala Emas Sultan Selangor winner Kim Emperor, this year’s Perak Derby winner Guru Fight and place-getter Gum Khor.

Banker’s Honor then tackled a Metro A race over 1700m two weeks ago and went down fighting (by a nose) to last year’s Coronation Cup winner Omniarch (formerly Good Star).

The New Zealand gelding was drawn widest in a field of nine and almost immediately after the start, jockey Joe Kamaruddin – who was riding the New Zealand gelding for the first time – was looking for a way to inch closer to the rails rather than to go forward and raced wide.

Banker’s Honor managed to settle third last early but racing one off the rails.

Kamaruddin was contend to stay there until making the turn into the home straight when the field bunched up and Banker’s Honor moved up to fifth behind the front runners Banker’s Kingdom (who led from the start), Eruption, Navarre and Gulf Eagle.

Banker’s Kingdom still led at the 400m with a line of four horses chasing him right behind.

Banker’s Honor raced up to Banker’s Kingdom at the 200m and with just a couple of whacks of the whip from Kamaruddin, Banker’s Honor pulled away to win by 2-1/4 lengths. Banker’s Kingdom held on for second with Pacific Pery finishing late third.

“He (Banker’s Honor) jumped well and I managed to get a nice spot in midfield,” said Kamaruddin.

“He travelled well on the bit all the way and finished very strongly.

Asked if he would ride him in the Selangor Mile, Kamaruddin said he wasn’t sure. “Maybe.”

“He (Banker’s Honor) is one of my favourites in the stable,” said Lim.

“He stands a very good of running in the (Selangor) Mile and what an improvement he made today.

“It was another gun ride by the rider (Kamaruddin).

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