Singapore/Malaysia
Super Salute doubles up in Walter Vijay Trophy
Super Salute proved that he is truly back at his best when he took out the RM62,000 NZB Walter Vijay Trophy (Supreme A) over 1300m at Sungai Besi today.
The three-time group winner in Singapore started his Malaysian campaign with a couple of placings early in the year but found it tough going against the likes of Noah Khan and Antopodean in his next three starts.
To help get him back to winning ways, trainer Sivan Veerapan sent him up north to Ipoh three weeks ago to run in a Enrich Stakes A race over 1300m.
Super Salute regained his mojo and romped home by 3-1/2 lengths ahead of last year's Coronation Cup winner Mega Gems.
Sivan and his connections knew that the real test would be when he returns to his home base and race against much stronger opposition.
That opportunity came in the race today staged in the memory of long-time Malaysian race commentator Walter Vijayaratnam Charles, or simply Walter Vijay to all those who knew him, who passed away earlier in the year.
Shafiq Mat Rusof took the reins on the I Am Invincible gelding in place of the indisposed Marc Lerner and rode a copy book race.
Shafiq settled Super Salute settled just off the pace set by Awesome Storm in seventh spot as the field raced past the 1000m.
Mr Black Back tracked Awesome Storm from the start and was followed by Gamestonks, Bransom, Pacific Victory and General Command with Super Salute finding the rails on settling down.
The field bunched up as they make the turn into the straight with Awesome Storm now joined by Mr Black Back. Pacific Victory moved up swiftly into third, just ahead of Gamestonks and Bransom with Super Salute waiting eagerly next.
Awesome Storm's run came to an end at the 300m and Pacific Victory quickly pounced and shot to a clear lead at the 200m.
Mr Black Back and Bransom were still in the picture but made no impression on the new leader. It was Super Salute who got going and raced up to Pacific Victory, grabbed the lead in the concluding stages to win by 3/4 length. Streets Of Fire flashed home third.
"After Ipoh, the owners and myself are taking things one step at a time," said Sivan.
"It looks like he (Super Salute) is back to his best form. The rider (Shafiq) thinks he needs a longer trip so we will be looking at a longer distance race for him next."
For Shafiq, it was a lucky pick-up ride.
"He kept giving me more each time I asked him for an effort. He fought on well in the end."
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