Fairway's Turf Online

Gutsy first-up win for Cheval Blanc

KUALA LUMPUR: Nov 12, 2023

CHEVAL BLANC returned to racing after a year on the sidelines to create a big upset in the Class 3 - 1200m handicap at Sungei Besi here today.

The Irish gelding had his last outing in Singapore this week last year when he returned lame. In fact, the son of Red Jazz returned lame in his final two starts at Kranji where he managed two wins in Class 4 in 19 starts.

After failing to get him right again, his owners sent him over to Malaysia to join the stables of Frank Maynard.

CHEVAL BLANC returns to scale with Tham Kin
Chong astride — SLTC photo

Following three barrier trials in the last few weeks, CHEVAL BLANC was ready for his first start here and few expected much from him.

Ridden by Tham Kim Chong, CHEVAL BLANC won the start and led from the favourite MALAYSIA CAPTAIN.

MALAYSIA CAPTAIN drew alongside CHEVAL BLANC at the 400m and the pair drew away from the rest to fight it out. MALAYSIA CAPTAIN was momentarily in front at one stage but CHEVAL BLANC fought back and raised another effort to win by 3/4 length. He paid RM210 for win.

"I was impressed for the horse to win after 12 months at this level," said Maynard. "He originally came from Dermot Weld in Ireland and never finished further back than fourth over there, so he is obviously a good horse.

"Hopefully he pulls up well and I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do. Big thanks to (Singapore trainer) Stephen Gray for recommending me to the owners (Team Cheval Stable)."

"He is fresh and jumped out with strong big strides," said Tham. "He travelled keenly throughout and hung out slightly in the straight.

"I didn't feel any problem with his legs and he won by sheer class and a big heart."

CHEVAL BLANC cost just 17,000 euros as a foal but after a win and finishing fourth four times in five starts at two, including the Group 3 Lyrefield Stakes at Leopardstown, he was sold for 260,000 euros and transferred to Weld.

CHEVAL BLANC, then known as Burgundy Boy, started three times under, managing a third and finished fourth in the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes and the listed King George V Cup, both at Leopardstown.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE: Tote No / Horse / Trainer / Jockey / Position

1	CLASS 5 - 1300M
4	BIG LAWYER	BT Lim	R Nuqman	1
	(4 ch.a.g Spill The Beans - Otimo by Lonhro)
7	Captain Legacy	K Ananthen	S Ruzaini	2
6	Aussie Eagle	S Siva	KP Lim	3
3	Legend Ninety Two	S Hamilton	L De Souza	4

2	CLASS 5 - 1300M
3	BEAT THE LIGHT	S Cook	AM Aizat	1
	(8 blk.a.g Drunbeats - Lights Off by Way Of Light)
8	Modric	S Hamilton	SU Lim	2
7	Sheng Proisir	HY Cheng	AB Riduan	3
9	Gurney Drive	K Ananthen	KP Lim	4

3	CLASS 5 - 1600M
8	SHYLOCK	MW Teh	SU Lim	1
	(6 b.nz.g Zacinto - Prompt Payment by In The Wings)
4	Binelzaam	AB Abdullah	J De Souza	2
7	Ordos Legend	SY Lim	J Low	3
6	Doge To The Moon	C Leck	AB Riduan	4

4	CLASS 4 - 1400M
2	MAGIC GENERAL	SY Lim	M Ekdihar	1
	(5 b.nz.g Swiss Ace - Joie D'Amour by More Than Ready)
7	Famous Name	AB Abdullah	E Ferreira	2
4	Hairy Fist	BT Lim	HS Gill	3
3	Village Tycoon	I Ismadi	KC Tham	4

5	CLASS 4 - 1400M
7	BLEU MARINE	HY Cheng	AM Aizat	1
	(7 b.ir.g Dark Angel - Blue Picture by Peintre Celebre)
10	Kiwi Kid	R Lines	L De Souza	2
6	Show Hand	L Moy	I Fikri	3
9	Tauboss	SY Lim	S Ruzaini	4

6	CLASS 4 - 1200M
5	WECANDO	F Maynard	SU Lim	1
	(9 br.nz.g Per Incanto - Magic Daze by Grosvenor)
3	Ipoh Kaigeh	SY Lim	J De Souza	2
4	Mercurial Turn	R Lines	S Ruzaini	3
6	Pacific Thunder	KC Tiang	R Nuqman	4

7	CLASS 4 - 1200M
3	INTENT	S Dunderdale	J De Souza	1
	(4 b.a.g Lonhro - Lagertha by Exceed And Excel)
4	Sacred Tonic	S Siva	S Ruzaini	2
7	Golden Man	HY Cheng	AB Riduan	3
1	Watch Out Boss	L Moy	I Fikri	4

8	CLASS 4 - 1200M
8	MAGNITUDE	SY Lim	J Low	1
	(6 b.nz.h Alamosa - Hippie by One Cool Cat)
1	Mr G	F Maynard	A Nazir	2
9	No Regrets	S Hamilton	SU Lim	3
4	Emphatic	R Lines	HS Gill	4

9	OPEN MAIDEN (WFA) - 1100M
1	APIS	V Sivan	I Fikri	1
	(4 b.a.g Spirit Of Boom - Honey Cara by Mossman)
11	Military Flag	S Dunderdale	J De Souza	2
10	Starlight Glimmer	S Siva	S Ruzaini	3
2	Our Final Offer	S Hamilton	L De Souza	4

10	CLASS 3 - 1200M
3	CHEVAL BLANC	F Maynard	KC Tham	1
	(8 gr.ir.g Red Jazz - Zibaline by Linamix)
5	Malaysia Captain	R Lines	S Ruzaini	2
7	High Water	S Dunderdale	J De Souza	3
4	Handsome Benz	BT Lim	R Nuqman	4

11	CLASS 5 - 1100M
7	BALIN	S Dunderdale	S Ruzaini	1
	(7 b/br.nz.g Per Incanto - Kaycent by Towkay)
5	Big Bad Mama	MW Teh	AK Lim	2
4	Elite Saint	I Ismadi	J Daniel	3
3	Pacific Prime	KC Tiang	R Nuqman	4

12	CLASS 5 - 1100M
8	STRETCHY FOUR	HY Cheng	H Haikal	1
	(5 ch.arg.g In The Dark - Stay Close by Southern Halo)
11	Trinity Flying	SY Lim	M Ekdihar	2
7	Qiji Star	S Dunderdale	J Daniel	3
2	Steel Cutter	M Sukri	R Nuqman	4