KUALA LUMPUR:  Dec 24, 2023

Five months ago last July, RAGNAR boldly took a huge leap in class and won a Stayers Stakes A event over 1800m at Sungai Besi. 

This came just two weeks after he had returned to form to win over 1600m in Class 4, the same class he has been racing in for the past three seasons after winning his debut in Restricted Maiden in late 2019.

RAGNAR has been unplaced in five outings since July, beating just one home in his last run.

But the Shocking gelding turned in a much improved performance to beat a couple of big names to win the Stayers Stakes A race over 1600m at Sungai Besi here today.

GOOD FIGHT, winner of three Cup races in his last three starts, was a course scratching which robbed the race of much colour.

But RAGNAR still had to face PASIR PINJI, winner of the Selangor Gold Cup, the well-performed AHTIMS KLIS and last start winner GOLDEN PEACH amongst others.

The seven-year-old, however, raised his game just when it mattered most.

Aizat Abdul Malik settled RAGNAR in fifth spot with the favourite PASIR PINJI also well off the pace set by SHOW HAND and PACIFIC DIAMOND early in the running.

The early pacemakers caved in and the field was stretched across the track coming to the 200m. RAGNAR hit the front soon after but AHTIMS KLIS then charged through on his inside and grabbed the lead 100m out.

RAGNAR, however, raised another effort and got up in the last couple of strides to beat AHTIMS KLIS by a head.

“It was a lucky win but I have a good chemistry with this horse,” said Aizat who rode RAGNAR four times last year for two wins. “I settled him off the pace and he gave me a good response in the straight.”

“He (RAGNAR) is getting better with age,” said trainer Ooi Chin Chin. “Aizat placed and settled him nicely.”

RAGNAR was the third leg of a splendid treble for Aizat who took the opening event on STARDICE and was successful with JOKER NINE SIX two races later. 

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