The barrier draw for the second edition of the RM1M 4YO Selangor Mile has arguably created more questions than answers as predicting the winner has become more challenging following Tuesday’s barrier draw. The race has become more open with several of the pre-draw main fancies drawing wide in the sixteen-horse lineup.

The four place getters in the 4YO Sprint Championship will be stepping up to the more lucrative mile version with DUMA (10) (Br1) fairing best with the draw. PACIFIC ENERGY (1) (Br6), who won the sprint, steps up to 1600m for the first time while BANKER’S HAPPY (6) (Br8) has drawn best of the Banker’s Stable contingent. G1 Tunku Gold Cup winner FORTUNE TREE (2), which finished 2nd in the sprint, will have to contend with barrier 15 after scratchings second up from a spell.

The Banker’s Stable, reeling from their 3YO Mile Championship success with BANKER’S BOSS last Sunday, will have five representatives including three last start winners which have drawn deep. BANKER’S SMILE (3) (Br14) has struck form at the right time with three successive victories and a good record over the journey (4:2-0-0). BANKER’S KINGDOM (4) is also a two-time winner at the mile and has been a consistent performer for the Banker’s string this year. BANKER’S HONOR (5) (Br16) may have been the pick of the Banker’s quintet pre draw but will require plenty of luck from the outside gate. BANKER’S HONOR (5) has won three from five locally, including his dominant 2.25L win over stable mate BANKER’S KINGDOM (4) on June 6 and his 1600m record (4-2-1-0) stands him in good stead also. Despite his first run at the mile, the previously mentioned BANKER’S HAPPY (6) reeled off a fast sectional when resuming in the 1200m 4YO Sprint Championship and was a 1500m winner prior to spelling.

The Simon Dunderdale pair of ANJOU CROWN (11) and NAVARRE (12) finished 1st and 2nd respectively in an 1100m Class 2 contest two weeks back. ANJOU CROWN (11) has risen to prominence very quickly after breaking its maiden tag in a Class 3 earlier this month prior to winning on the upgrade over 1600m. NAVARRE (12) led and set a fast pace on that occasion so providing he relaxes better in the run, a top three placing is not out of the question. Both horses will be partnered by Australian jockeys Liam Riordan and Jett Stanley, who took out the G2 Adelaide Cup back in May, makes his Malaysia riding debut this weekend.

Trainer Frank Maynard teams up with the RC Stable as DUMA and TREES OF VALINOR (15) have both drawn well in one and three respectively. DUMA (10) is yet to win from three attempts at the trip but worked home well when placed 6th behind ANJOU CROWN (11) last start and will be reunited with inform hoop Bernardo Pinheiro. TREES OF VALINOR (15), winner of the 2025 3YO Mile Championship, has been prepared to the minute and judging by his recent 3rd to ANJOU CROWN (11), the gelding is on track to win another aged feature.

No doubt the sleeping giant is a galloper which has progressed nicely and remains unbeaten in three race track appearances. The Lawson Moy-trained CHOICE IS MINE (9) arrived with a New Zealand maiden win to its credit and has since taken out successive Max Two Stakes races in Malaysia. He defeated fellow Selangor Mile combatants NAVARRE (12) and AQUITAINE (14) on his local debut back in May by three lengths and from the good draw, will attract plenty of market support.

4YO Selangor Mile Selections: (9) CHOICE IS MINE   (6) BANKER’S HAPPY   (12) NAVARRE   (15) TREES OF VALINOR

 FORTUNE RISING (1) appears ideally handicapped to win the RM100.000 Trinity Selangor Silver (1300m) (Race 6) and enters Sunday’s semi feature as the highest rated performer with 86 points, 15 points clear of his nearest rival FRIGHT on 71. FORTUNE RISING (1) dominated in his race track return with a resounding 4.25L win against Class 2 company a fortnight ago. The gelding not only maintained his local unbeaten record of three from three but also provided rookie apprentice WH Lim with his first victory as well.  Emergency runner for the Selangor Mile, JINLING STARBLITZ (7) cannot be left from calculations following successive wins back in April and June. Coming off an unplaced effort in the 4YO Sprint Championship last start, the gelding has the potential to pick up more races in the future and will have to be at his peak to strike on Sunday. KOONDAKAARA (8) draws the pole and was a recent runner up to Mile aspirant CHOICE IS MINE two starts back prior to finishing 2nd again as a beaten favorite in a Class 2 contest on July 5. BANKER’S BEAUTIFUL (3) is rarely far off the mark and looks better suited returning to her own age group while SECRET WONDER (4) was well supported to win at Class 4A level last month, his first victory since taking out the Singapore Pools Trophy (Ipoh Version) in November last year.

Trinity Selangor Silver Selections: (1) FORTUNE RISING   (7) JINLING STARBLITZ   (8) KOONDAKAARA   (3) BANKER’S BEAUTIFUL      

Source :