With the 4YO Selangor Mile to be contested in two weeks, fourteen nominees for the One Million Ringgit feature will be stepping out at the Selangor Turf Club’s meeting this Saturday. Whilst some runners are guaranteed a start it will be their final hit out to maintain form and fitness before the July 26 grand final. However, there is a bracket of starters on the threshold of gaining a run with a heavy reliance on their results and performances this weekend. With sixteen runners plus four emergencies, there is a chance for a select few to improve their ratings and move into the top echelon of qualifiers.

The 1600m Class 2 (Race 4) will carry the most interest as no less than seven of the ten runners have been nominated for the mile feature. Trainer Frank Maynard has two engaged and both have genuine chances. DUMA has only placed over the mile previously but has the points to qualify for a start while stable mate TREES OF VALINOR is rated 21st. Both horses finished 4th and 8th respectively in the 4YO Sprint Championship contested on June 28. TREES OF VALINOR is a genuine chance of winning which will ensure enough points for a guaranteed start. However, the New Zealand bred gelding can automatically go through based on his win in the 3YO Mile Championship twelve months ago, his only attempt at the 1600m trip.

The Bankers Stable are likely to be represented by up to six runners in the Selangor Mile and BANKER’S BEAUTIFUL, with 67 points, is the lowest-rated of the Bankers contingent. The mare has the points in the bank to guarantee a start and could be a chance in Saturday’s contest judging by her fast finishing third in a 1300m Supreme B last start.

Of the remaining Selangor Mile aspirants engaged in Race 4, AQUITAINE improved his chances for qualification after breaking through in Class 4 company and is rated 15th with 66 points. CITY GOLD LOYALTY (18th) is starting for the second time in the country but has won up to 1900m in Australia. NAVARRE failed once over the mile in a Class 3 recently and is on the borderline of qualifying. ANJOU CROWN is making a late charge to make the cut after breaking its maiden tag in a Class 3 event last Sunday. The gelding is currently rated 26th (61 pts) and may have to win on the seven-day backup to qualify. TO REMEMBER has struggled in three starts this campaign and is unlikely to gain a run.

Two horses also pursuing spots in the Selangor Mile will clash in the 1400m Class 3 contest (Race 5). ARTOIS with a 61 rating may have to win to qualify but is a chance of doing that following his effortless victory at Ipoh on June 27. He will clash with SMASHED AVO which is aiming for the hat trick and has the potential to rise up the ranks. SMASHED AVO may fall short to qualify with 57 points for the Mile but is rated as the Irace best bet for the day judging by his easy Class 4 win over 1400m on June 21. The gelding scored by 2.75L on the upgrade and has matured and become stronger with race experience.

STORM TITAN (67 pts) will have enough points to start in the Selangor Mile and looks a winning chance on his race track return in the 1100m Class 2 contest (Race 9). The gelding won four from nine last preparation and his excellent first up record (3:2-0-0) places him in good stead for a positive result. FORTUNE RISING, locally unbeaten in two starts, also resumes after recently joining the stables of HY Cheng. The horse had been contesting some of the highly sought after three year old races in Australia early in his career which produced two victories prior to arriving in Malaysia. His return to the track will be highly anticipated also.

EASTERN BARRACKS on current ratings and form is unlikely to make the final cut in the Selangor Mile but is a chance on the distance rise in the 1600m Class 4 (Race 3). Although he received every chance when finishing 2nd over 1020m last Sunday, he looks a better prospect over the middle distance. The only query is EASTERN BARRACKS has only placed up to 1600m while FAMILY DELIGHT, a recent 1275m winner, is proven over the journey after scoring over the mile here early last year.

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