August 21, 2025

KL trainer’s Diaz dazzling while Mahadi’s Ciango also looks like he is raring to go

One cannot help but wonder whether the celebrations have toned down in trainer Nick Selvan’s yard since the Aug 17 races.

That day saw Selvan represented by just six runners spread over the 12-race Kuala Lumpur programme, with three of them hitting the jackpot and another finding one better.

Written Towin, Golden Sentience and Popeyethesailorman saluted, while Elliot Ness ran second to Star North.

Selvan is again represented by a small team at the races coming up on Aug 24. From just the seven runners for the meeting, he could be pinning his hopes on Rocky Bhai to keep the mood happy.

Rocky Bhai, who will see action in Race 8, a Class 4A over 1,600m, was out on the training track on Aug 20 to tighten up any loose ends. He turned in a really smart gallop when covering the 600m in 38sec.

The Australian-bred four-year-old son of Microphone has been an honest sort through a career, which has seen him outside the top four just three times in 12 starts for a record of two wins, four seconds, two thirds and a fourth placing.

His last start on Aug 2 was one of those rare days off, though. Rocky Bhai had supporters who sent him off as the second pick in that Class 4A race (1,600m) at Sungai Besi, but he never got going and eventually ran sixth.

It was a tight affair on the line, though. Rocky Bhai was just two lengths adrift of the winner, Pacific Star.

Right now, Rocky Bhai is in a good place and he is holding form. Come Aug 24, keep those trusty binoculars locked on his light blue silks worn by veteran jockey Aify Yahaya.

One race earlier, Selvan would also be hoping for a good showing from Diaz who will face the starter in a Class 4B event over 1,020m.

The Australian-bred six-year-old chestnut did a strong canter on the training track running the 600m in 38.9sec.

The son of Winning Rupert saw his 2025 campaign interrupted by a bleeding attack on Feb 16.

Sent out as the favourite, he looked a winner on straightening. But, instead of lengthening, he suddenly caved in and dropped right back.

Vets later found out he head bled and he was barred from racing for three months.

At his return from that enforced rest on Aug 2, he ran a five-length fifth to Smart One.

That outing would have trimmed off the fat and this most recent workout would have brought him up to speed for his next assignment in that 1,020m race.

He posted one of his two Malaysian wins by leading. If he can beat his awkward alley on Aug 24 and roll forward, he could be the one sailing home.

Also from the training track, Ciango drew attention to his chances in Race 5, even though his work was confined to a strong canter and some pacework.

Now trained by Mahadi Taib, Ciango has not reproduced his Singapore form of two wins in two unplaced runs in Malaysia.

All his three Kranji wins were over the sprint trips of 1,200m when prepared by Kuah Cheng Tee, who is now the owner of the American-bred entire.

The ex-trainer and Mahadi will be hoping the Class 4A race (1,200m) can prove to be a breakthrough for the son of More Than Ready at his new home.

Source : Brian Miller