Fairway's Turf Online

Leopard eclipses rivals for huge upset win

KUALA LUMPUR: Mar 16, 2024

LEOPARD ECLIPSE coasting home to an upset win — SLTC photo

Rank-outsider LEOPARD ECLIPSE put his rivals into the shade with a huge upset win in the Metro A set-weight event over 1600m at Sungai Besi here today.

The seven-year-old made all the running to win by 1 3/4 lengths ahead of a line of six well-backed horses to pay RM235 for a win.

But your couldn't say that the win was totally out of the blue. The son of Road To Rock has already eight wins to his name prior to today's race.

Last November, LEOPARD ECLIPSE finished third in the Coronation Cup (1600m) in Ipoh and went on to run third again in the Piala Emas Sultan Selangor (2000m).

Placed third in his next start, LEOPARD ECLIPSE failed to show up in three subsequent runs before before his surprise win today.

LEOPARD ECLIPSE jumped well from his inside barrier (1) and found himself in front shortly after that that.

Jockey Aiman Mohd Nazir, who scored once on LEOPARD ECLIPSE early last year, kept his mount on a steady pace though they were three lengths in front of the rest at the halfway stage and into the straight.

LEOPARD ECLIPSE kept up a bright gallop in the home stretch to win comfortably without being seriously threatened.

"He jumped well and had a good lead but I was also saving him for a final effort in the straight," said Nazir. "No one caught me."

LEOPARD ECLIPSE has now won nine times in 49 starts since joining trainer Frank Maynard as an unraced import.

"I always have a high opinion of him (LEOPARD ECLIPSE). He has always finished high up with horses like PASIR PINJI so the ability was there," said Maynard.

"It was a tough race and (1600m is) probably a little bit short for him. When he is left in front he is a very good stayer.

"He is a sound, big strong horse so I am looking forward to the (Perak)Derby. He's got it all and he's got very good legs.

"He has really been a good purchase (in June 2022). He has won seven races for the new connections and been a good horse for the stable." .

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

1	CLASS 5 - 1300M
4	MONDAY	BT Lim	R Nuqman	1
	(6 b.a.g Wandjina - Maha Chakri by Beautiful Crown)
2	Hosayliao	WC Lim	AK Lim	2
6	Mewtwo	L Moy	L De Souza	3
10	Rainbow Fish	EP Tan	S Shazmin	4

2	CLASS 5 - 1300M
1	AIR BOSS	WC Lim	AK Lim	1
	(8 b.am.g Mucho Macho Man - Becker County Miss by Langfuhr)
2	Winner Power	NM Selvan	J De Souza	2
10	Ready To Sevenluck	R Lines	L De Souza	3
7	Shangani	F Maynard	KC Tham	4

3	CLASS 5 - 1700M
5	MAINSTREAM	C Leck	A Nazir	1
	(5 b.nz.h Highly Recommended - Pinaz by Pins)
6	El Macho	HY Cheng	S Hafis	2
8	Tarzan	WC Lim	H Haikal	3
2	D'Great Magic	EP Tan	S Shazmin	4

4	CLASS 4 - 1400M
10	RS DIAGO	NM Selvan	A Azizi	1
	(5 ch.a.g Sebring - Lissele by Exceed And Excel)
9	Tauboss	SY Lim	J De Souza	2
6	Winner's Euphoria	S Hamilton	KC Tham	3
4	CH Fortune	KC Tiang	S Ruzaini	4

5	METRO A (SW) - 1600M
9	LEOPARD ECLIPSE	F Maynard	A Nazir	1
	(7 b.nz.g Road To Rock - Kathy O'Reilly by O'Reilly)
4	Trumpy	L Moy	L De Souza	2
1	Pasir Pinji	S Dunderdale	T Ammar	3
6	Black Thorn	F Maynard	SU Lim	4

6	CLASS 4 - 1200M
8	CAORUNN	S Hamilton	H Haikal	1
	(10 b.nz.g Showcasing - Molly's Dolly by Bertolini)
1	War Sniper	EP Tan	S Shazmin	2
6	Mysterious Captain	R Lines	A Nazir	3
4	JB Kaingeh	S Dunderdale	S Ruzaini	4

7	CLASS 5 - 1100M
6	MAGIC HERO	R Lines	A Nazir	1
	(3 b.a.g Bull Point - California Star by Starspangledbanner)
1	All White	C Leck	SU Lim	2
3	Hunter Pegasus	K Ananthen	A Azizi	3
5	Cosmic Sands	S Hamilton	T Ammar	4

8	CLASS 5 -1100M
4	STARDICE	S Hamilton	S Shazmin	1
	(9 b.nz.g O'Reilly - Joy by Pins)
6	Tigress	R Lines	L De Souza	2
2	Barbarian	NM Selvan	A Azizi	3
7	Tilsworth Mick	F Maynard	KC Tham	4