Kuala Lumpur, July 15

Most of the trainers seemed to be happy with what they picked when the barrier draw for the RM1 million Selangor Mile were held at the Selangor Turf Club this morning.

All eyes, of course, were on owner Yee Kin Kong when he stepped forward for Antipodean, who will probably start favourite in the 1600m race for four-year-olds.

Yee picked the plaque with the number 11.

“I am happy with the draw,” said Simon Dunderdale, who got his champion back a month ago in a surprise move by Yee who had transferred all his string of horses out of the champion trainer’s stable at the end of last season.

Antipodean won nine races last year including the 3YO Pacific Cup (1200m), the New Zealand Bloodstock 3YO Trophy (1400m), the Selangor Gold Cup (1600m) and Sports Toto Supreme Challenge Cup (1400m).

Antipodean has started five times this season for a win, two seconds and two thirds. 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).

“With the Selangor Mile coming up, the owner (Yee) probably thinks the horse needs a change of luck,” said Dunderdale.

“I have been working him (Antipodean) for the past month and I am happy with him. The draw means the jockey (Bernardo Pinheiro) can place him anywhere in the race.”

Dunderdale also has three other runners in the race.

“It’s a perfect draw (barrier 4) for Shinjuku but it will difficullt for Valios (16) and Hypeman (15).”

Pacific Victory, winner the 4YO Sprint Championship last month, drew 13 which disappointed apprentice Jerlyn Seow who will retain the ride in the Selangor Mile.

But stable supervisor Kevin Chin, standing in for trainer Jason Ong who is overseas, said: “It’s not a problem.”

Ong’s other runner War Star will start from barrier 7.

Trainer Winson Cheng Han Yong is happy with the barrier 5 drawn by Lucky Magic. After winning the Penang Gold Cup (2000m) last December and the Perak Derby (2000m) in March, the son of Mendelssohn will be one of the favourites on Sunday.

Platinum Glory drew barrier 14.

“It’s not an ideal draw but I am OK with it,” said trainer Ricky Choi.

His other runner Luen On Feelings will start from stall No. 6.

“Honestly, I wish their draws could be reversed but you have to take what comes.”

Richard Lines, too, seems to be ‘OK’ with the draws of Stop The Water (9) and Kim Emperor (10).

Trainer Lawson Moy was elated with Eruption drawing barrier 2.

“It provides us with good options, whether to lead and sit behind the pace.”

Trainer Richard Lim thinks barrier 8 is a very good draw for Elite Boy who has have only three runs (but finish on board in all of them) in Malaysia.

Trainer Ooi Chin Chin could not happier with the inside barrier 1 for Red Dragonfly. “It means we can go with the pace.”

Trainer Mahadi Taib is happy despite Good Star drawing 12. “It’s my lucky number.” he said.

Whichever stalls they start from on Sunday, every runner in the capacity field of 16 would be hoping for a bit of luck in the running.

Afterall, the Selangor Mile is tagged as “One Race. One Million. One Champion.”

And I might add: One Chance. The race is for four-year-olds. That chance for glory will never come again for the runners on Sunday.

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