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Articles by Brian Miller
Pomona girls wrestling triumphs over crowded field
With the calendar about to turn the page to February – and with it, the arrival of the postseason – a potential girls state preview was the story over the weekend. The Chatfield Lady War Horse Invitational saw some of the state’s top teams descend upon Chatfield High School. Four of Class 5A’s top-five teams in the most recent On the Mat rankings were in the mix, along with three of 4A’s top five.
Mr Black Back will be back for the big occasion
For fans of Mr Black Back – and there must be busloads out there – the wait is finally coming to an end. After taking a break of more than 100 days, he will soon be back racing and the occasion will be the big one – the RM100,000 (S$30,760) Chinese New Year Prosperity Trophy on Jan 31. A multiple winner at Kranji, Mr Black Back has been working hard towards that Malaysian debut.
Boy Xander wins his trial with authority
It has been exactly 31 days since Boy Xander was trotted to the start, loaded into the gates and sent off on a journey. His previous five races going back to Oct 13 were full of merit. A win, a second, a third and two fourths. How is that for consistency? And now he gets to add another “1” to his resume. That, after winning his trial on Jan 28.
Thunderstorm ready to roll
With the weather being what it is these days, you might want to pay attention and watch out for a horse with a name like Thunderstorm. Well, there is one with an assignment in Selangor on Jan 26 and, the name aside, he looks ready to throw a spanner in the works of all who oppose him in the Open Maiden sprint over the 1,100m. On a training track which was rated good on the morning of Jan 21, Thunderstorm turned in a pleasing performance, running the 600m in 41.7sec.
Good Fight, Ong Mari the pick of Team Dunderdale
Simon Dunderdale, Malaysian champion trainer in 2024, is off and running in the new season and right now, after three meetings at Sungai Besi in 2025, he sits on top of the trainers table with four wins. And to think, the “field” has not even settled.
Gurney Drive looks lip-smacking good
Sure, we have all heard of Gurney Drive. When in Penang, that is where you can indulge in good food. Well, Gurney Drive could soon be on the lips of racegoers in Selangor and elsewhere. That is Gurney Drive the galloper and, right now, he is probably the most tasteful runner in trainer Ananthen Kuppan’s yard in Sungai Besi. How not to be? Like clockwork, he has been adding money to the coffers and his last five runs going back to Aug 11 2024 read 3-4-2-2-2.
Dunderdale can start new season with a bang
By his lofty standards, trainer Simon Dunderdale could not end the season with that proverbial bang. But, then again, his lone entries for the Selangor (Fatal Attraction) and Penang meetings (Good Fight) over the weekend were not disgraced. Both finished second. Still, he wrapped things up in a pretty package, taking his first champion trainer title on 73 wins.
The Star works like he is ready
What or who is going to stop The Star from making it two off the bounce and three wins from his last four starts? His fans will argue that there is little his rivals can do when the field lines up for the races on Dec 28. After all, they will say, he is in a rich vein of form and he seems to have taken to his new surroundings like a duck to water. They are right on both counts.
Jungle King primed for fourth win in Malaysia
Trainer Ananthen Kuppan, who was among the winners at the just-concluded meeting at Kuala Lumpur on Dec 1, could pull another from out of the hat when Jungle King takes on Class 3 opposition at Sungai Besi on Dec 8. Already a money-spinner with seven wins, four of which at Kranji, from 39 starts, he was one of the outstanding performers at the gallops on the morning of Dec 3. Sent out against the clock, he stretched out with a strong canter before turning on the style to run the 600m in 39sec.
Wayne Lim has a dream team for Piala Emas
There is a big one coming up at the Selangor Turf Club on Dec 1 and trainer Lim Woei Chet – or Wayne Lim as he is more popularly known in racing circles – looks like he has the ammunition necessary to make a killing. He has entered a team of three runners for the third leg of the Malaysian Group 1 Triple Crown Series – the RM250,000 (S$ 75,400) Group 1 Piala Emas Sultan Selangor (2,000m) and all three – Dream Alliance, Mega Gems and Golden Pegasus – galloped on Nov 26.
Pacific Bao Bei looks ready to make waves
It is beginning to look good up North for trainer David Kok. After Kok opened his Malaysian account with Pacific Charm on Nov 17, the former Kranji trainer could double his score at the next Selangor meeting on Nov 24. Sure, he has entered just two runners for the day’s action but there is a smart one in that small bunch. Pacific Bao Bei turned up at Sungai Besi for some barrier practice and a morning gallop on Nov 19 and, just like that, he served notice of his winning intentions.
Solid Eighty-Three looks good
For a long while there, it looked bleak for Solid Eighty-Three and his connections. After a sterling 2023 which saw him put together four wins, the tap suddenly went dry. The current season looked anything but sterling. Indeed, it was bleak. Solid Eighty-Three seemed to have lost it – and it was not for a lack of trying. Ananthen Kuppan, who in June, 2024, took over training duties from Richard Lines, knew he had inherited a good horse. It was just a matter of waking him up from his slumber.
Golden Sardine set for fourth win
Golden Sardine (No. 8), winning a Class 3 event over 1,300m on June 4, looked good during trackwork at Kuala Lumpur on Nov 5.PHOTO: SELANGOR TURF CLUB He has been knocking at the door. But that fourth win has been elusive. Indeed, it has been five months since Golden Sardine picked up a winner’s purse. That last one was on June 4. In that race over the 1,300m at the Selangor Turf Club, he came from third at the final bend to beat Good Fight by a shorthead.
Muted elation as racegoers throng Kranji for last time
The last race at Kranji has been run. As a die-hard racing fan for longer than I care to remember, I was of course upset. To be honest, I have been an infrequent visitor at Kranji of late, but I somehow got out of my lazy Saturdays to make it a point to pay a last visit. So it was, on Oct 5, I abandoned the car and took the train from Bukit Batok to the Kranji station. I knew that, on a raceday, there was no better place to get a feel of the occasion than on that train to Kranji.
Greatham Boy is in great order
With the bulk of the races on Oct 5 boasting near-capacity fields, the advice is this: Tread softly. It is the last day of racing in Singapore and you do not want to come away lighter in the pocket. So, once again, proceed with caution. And, once again, like we have been trying to do over the last few years, we will try to point you in the right direction from the training track.
Kosi & Co. gear up for big day
Like it has always been at Kranji for the last couple of years, Lim’s Kosciuszko stole the show. And this time he did not even have to knock home a win. The Singapore superstar was at the trials on Sept 26 and, true to form, he was the focus of all attention. In the end of that 1,000m jaunt – which was run in drizzly conditions – Lim’s Kosciuszko ran fourth in that hit-out which was won by King Of Sixty-One, the mount of Ryan Curatolo.
Vet tests matter till the very end
The signs that Kranji is already turning into a ghost town are unmistakable. With only two meetings to go before the last chapter to a 182-year-long racing history is closed on Oct 5, the noise of bugs and cawing of birds have replaced the sound of hooves at morning trackwork. Tuesday barrier trials are quiet affairs now, mostly one horse spinning around solo, although Thursdays’ are still rather busy.
Aniki sizzles in swift workout
Trainer Leslie Khoo is a quiet achiever. He seldom makes the headlines and, when his horses do good, you do not hear him beating a drum and shouting it out from the rooftops. The former top local jockey just puts his shoulder to the wheel and gets on with the job. Well, Khoo could have bragging rights on Sept 28. As usual, he will be represented by a small team.
Navy Seals all grit at trials
It has not been a champagne-popping last six months for the connections of Navy Seals. Since taking out that 2,000m race on June 16, Navy Seals has found it difficult putting together another win. He did come close on two occasions – when second to Pacific Beauty on July 21 and third to Don’t Forget Boss on Aug 11. So it came as a nice surprise for his connections when he nosed out Forest Gold in the third trial on the morning of Sept 19.
All Khoo in one-horse trials
It is getting lonely out there at the barrier trials. But, hey, it is to be expected. With the shutters about to come down on horse racing on Oct 5, our horse population has taken a dive. Hence, the low numbers at these Tuesday hit-outs. There was one test and a trial on Sept 17 and, as always, the horses provided the theatre. With no one else in the way, Auspicious King and that flashy mare named Delilah, both trained by Leslie Khoo, “starred” by default.
Jerome Tan’s Big Union looks set for a big fight
Entered for the main race on Sept 21, it is not going to be a stroll in the park for Big Union. There is Ghalib, who is right up there at 102 rating points. Makin is also in the line-up – and he is fresh from a fourth placing behind Lim’s Saltoro in the Raffles Cup. And to complicate matters even more, there is the looming presence of Pacific Vampire. He is after blood. Sitting on a double, he is looking to make it three from 10 starts. And few will dare bet against it happening.
Pacific Vampire goes scary fast
His name can make your hair stand. His strength and stamina make him even scarier. And, as his rivals at the trials on the morning of Sept 12 found out, he takes no prisoners. Yes, such is his prowess that Pacific Vampire could be something right out of the pages of a Bram Stoker novel. A pity, therefore, with just four race days left, Singapore’s racegoers will not be able to see him in all his glory. So it was a treat in itself to see Pacific Vampire trot out for the trials.
Takhi can still raise a gallop
If you had overslept on the morning of Sept 10 and only managed to catch the final 400m of the trial on that same day, never in your wildest dreams would you have expected Takhi to beat them all. You see, as the field of four negotiated the 600m marker, Awesome Conqueror and Super Pan Swiftly had the trial seemingly sewn up. Ridden hell for leather by Saifudin Ismail and Sazali Ramli respectively, the pair had taken the lead from the moment the starter released them at the 1,000m.
Pacific Atlantic has the form to swamp his rivals
With the final running of the Queen Elizabeth II Cup slotted in for Sept 7, the action is going to be hot and furious. After all, it leads to the Grand Singapore Gold Cup on Oct 5 – which is the really big one. But the QEII Cup has always been sentimental and it still has a pull on the heartstrings. This year’s running is no exception. But, to get to it, racegoers at Kranji and elsewhere will first have to negotiate an interesting undercard which will feature some exciting horses.
Dancing Light does slow waltz
On the morning of Aug 22, when the trials turned out to be more like some good stretch-outs, Dancing Light caught the eye when leading from pillar to post. Like the two other winners on that bright and sunny morning, this six-year-old did not break any land speed records, clocking 1min 01.99sec for the 1,000m. But his trainer, Tim Fitzsimmons, would not have any complaints. Aside from being a tad slow, his charge did everything right.
Latest gallop could well mean Ghalib is on the go
Those last two races must still bring on nightmares for the connections of Ghalib. Both times, in high-class hit-outs, their boy had to settle for one of the minor placings. Like that second to Golden Monkey in the Kranji Stakes A 1,200m sprint on July 7 and that very gallant bronze medal showing to the great Lim’s Kosciuszko in the Group 1 Lion City Cup (1,200m) on July 28. Yes, in recent races, Ghalib has “been there” but he has just not “done that”.
Strike Gold almost strikes out at trial
Even before they were loaded into the starting gates, we knew it was going to be no-contest. Yes, on rating points alone, Strike Gold versus Wednesday was as one-sided as you could possibly imagine. The one and only trial on the morning of Aug 20 was supposed to be a three-horse affair. However, the withdrawalof Ocean Jupiter slashed the already small field down to just two runners. And, as we were to find out later, David was not going to slay Goliath.
Pacific Gold in winning trim
It has become a common sight these days to see the orange and white colours of the Pacific Stable on show in the winner’s enclosure at Kranji. They were successful with Pacific Sonic, who took out the sixth event at the Aug 18 meeting. It came on the heels of a “Pacific” double on Aug 11, when Pacific Star and Pacific Vampire delivered the goods in emphatic style. Looking back, the list could go on – but it is already common knowledge to the ardent racegoers.
Choi moves to Malaysia after Macau closure
There will soon be a new face at the races in Malaysia – and he is no slouch when it comes to affairs of the horse. Right now the name Choi Chun Wai – or CW Choi or Ricky Choi as he is more popularly known in racing circles – might not ring a bell on the Malaysian circuit. But, given his credentials, it is a name which might soon be rolling off your tongue.
Major King makes it look so effortless
If ever you find yourselfin a discussion about runaway winners, you might want to weave Major King into the conversation. The five-time winner was in scary form at the trials on Aug 15 and, when the dust had settled in the second hit-out of the morning, he had well and truly blitzed his six rivals. The official margin was 10¼ lengths. It could well have been a dozen lengths or more.
May just be Two More For The Road
It has been a good last three months for trainer James Peters. Even by his modest standards, he has racked up 12 winners since June – and there could be more before the month is up. Peters, who is in his eighth year as a fully fledged trainer at Kranji, has a team of seven lined up for the action on Aug 18 and, on form, he might just pull off a double. The runners who could do it for him are Legend Of Niagara and Onemorefortheroad.
Trial shows all’s good with Raising Sixty-One
If you were one of many who felt gutted, flabbergasted and stunned for words when watching the start of the Raffles Cup on Aug 11, we do not blame you. Indeed, some of you who had tickets on Raising Sixty-One resting in your pockets might even have felt cheated. Yes, in this game, you win some andlose some. Take it or leave it. That is racing, as we know it.
Pacific Atlantic could make it rough for rivals
If you have not already noticed, among the more familiar colours being worn by jockeys at Kranji these days just happen to be orange and white. Yes, those silks belong to the Pacific Stable. Take the just-concluded races on Aug 11. They had seven runners contesting the 10 races and, on the day, they pulled off a neat double with Pacific Star and Pacific Vampire.
Ong’s Filial Dragon blows hot at trials
On ratings alone, Filial Dragon was not supposed to win his trial. There were others rated higher than his 59, like King Of Sixty-One (78) and Smart Star (71). But, sometimes, rating points are mere numbers and what matters is the horse’s form on the day. And, at the trials on Aug 8, Filial Dragon had the form.
In-form Ravalli looking good for a hat-trick
Out there, where racing men gather over a beer to “talk horse”, they could right now be debating the merits of Ravalli. So far, he has been a good friend. Twice already, when backed down to skinny odds, he has come through with wins. Thefirst was on June 16. They sent him off as the $9 top pick and he delivered, beating recent winner Stop The Water in his tracks.
Mt Niseko ready to make up for last-start defeat
It was through no fault of his. Mt Niseko did not put a hoof wrong. And jockey Chad Schofield did what he had to do. Yet, they had to play second fiddle. However, on reflection,they were – on the day – never going to beat Greatham Boy, who was simply too good. Too smart. Too slick. And those who had backed Mt Niseko – he had trainloads of fans who sent him off as the $22 top pick in the Class 3 1,200m turf event on June 30 – knew that their runner was a “good thing beaten”.
Peters may pop bubbly twice
Trainer James Peters will be a busy man at the races on Aug 4. Of course, we will hear no complaints from the debonair Englishman as it could also mean a profitable meeting for the yard and his connections. Peters has entered 10 runners for the 10-race programme andthey are spread over eight events. Since there is work to be done, it seems to have already begun. Some of Peters’ horses were out on the training track on the morningof July 31 and two, in particular, stood out.
Asif has a couple of wins up his sleeve
He is one of those underrated runners at Kranji. You do not hear his name being mentioned in the same breath as, for example, Lim’s Kosciuszko and Lim’s Saltoro. Or, for that matter, some other household names like Golden Monkey and, perhaps, Ghalib. But, here is the thing. Ignore him at your own risk. Asif is one of those quiet achievers. He workshard for his room and board at Steven Burridge’s yard and, to date, he has earned close to $100,000 in prize money. Make no bones about it.
July can call the shots in August
If they had to, they would have elbowed their fellow commuters in the ribswhen getting off the train at the Kranji station on July 21. All because they feared being late for the first race. Coincidentally, almost down to a man, their choice in Race 1 on that July afternoon was a horse aptly named July. Trained by runaway leader Jason Ong, July had been working up a storm in the days leading up to that race and he looked a shoo-in for top honours.
Istataba gets it for the girls
It has been a long time since Istataba’s connections popped the champagne. Indeed, you have to go all the way back to Aug 6, 2023. Well, if you are a fan of the Argentinian-bred mare, here is the thing. Istataba seems to be running into a rich vein of form and she could be looking at a sixth success. Istataba was the morning star at the trials on July 25 when she unleashed a terrific run over the final furlong of the 1,000m sprint.
Fearless Warrior shows intent
Unlike some other trainers, Desmond Koh does not have a yard that is bursting at its seams and brimming with talent. But what we do know is that the team he has is lean and mean. Flashback to the just-concluded Singapore Derby meeting on July 21. He had just two runners in the 10-race programme and he saddled a winner when Sacred Buddy romped in to take the Class 4 Division 2 sprint over 1,200m. It was a thoroughly deserving victory as he beat some really nice ones in Charminton, Fire and Hasten.
April well on comeback trail
It has been a year and five months since we last saw April win a race. That was on Feb 25, 2023, and racegoers were mostly impressed with his fighting spirit. That day, when having just his second race start, April did not have the smoothest of runs in that Open Maiden 1,400m contest. He was obliged to race wide for most of the trip and looked to be floundering when the field negotiated that sweeping left-hander which brought them to the top of the home stretch.
Winning workout has Boardroom all abuzz
In the competitive world of business and industry, the boardroom is where things happen. It is a place out of the public eye. It is where strategies are mapped out and important decisions are made. So, when there is a horse named Boardroom, one gets a feeing that plenty of planning goes into the direction it is going to take – going forward.
Kosi, Greatham Boy are ‘roaring’ to go
With the Group 1 Lion City Cup (1,200m) truly locked in their collective minds, Lim’s Kosciuszko and Greatham Boy went to the trials. Paired together in the second of just three hit-outs on the morning of July 18, they left little to the imagination. In reality though, it was Greatham Boy who threw in more punches and the reward was a victory over Kranji’s favourite son. Yes, on the day and at the trials, the Tim Fitzsimmons-trained galloper had the better of Daniel Meagher’s superstar.
Ace Of Diamonds still sparkles
If you were at the racecourse on May 18, you would have seen Ace Of Diamonds put his rivals to shame when lifting the Group 2 Singapore Guineas. Well, if you were having your morning coffee at the club on July 16, you would have had to peer through the rain to watch that same runner win his trial.
Lightning Strike out to spoil Lim’s party
Trainer Tim Fitzsimmons, who sent out three winners at the July 13 meeting, could be looking at another couple of big runs from his team of horses when Derby Day comes along on July 21. Among others, he will saddle Lightning Strike in the $400,000 Group 1 Singapore Derby and, with Saint Tropez hitting his straps, he is also looking good to lift the Japan Racing Association Trophy – the top race on the undercard.
Big Union looks good as he shoots for hat-trick
The last time we saw Big Union in action, he was involved in a dogfight with Pacific Master in a Class 4 1,200m contest on June 22. The pair battled it out to the finish, locked together like Siamese twins. A print of the finish had to be called and, after much scrutiny, Big Union got the verdict by a nose. It was close but it was thoroughly deserving, as he did not have the smoothest of passages during the race. Indeed, for most of the trip on the Polytrack, he had to race wide and without cover.
Stop The Water proves too nippy for his rivals
If there was a prize for the most impressive winner at the trials on July 11, Stop The Water would carry it home. You see, on a splendid morning at the Kranji racecourse, the Steven Burridge-trained runner was in such flowing form that his rider, apprentice jockey Sazali Ramli, could have done the crosswords in the saddle and his mount would still have won.
Mr Black Back is back in business
One thing you can count on when it comes to good horses is that they always come up with something which provides good gossip. Take, for example, Mr Black Back, the bold front runner who was so brilliant in his early Kranji starts that he was even one of the leading picks in the 2022 Singapore Gold Cup at only his fourth start. He ran a creditable fifth to Hongkong Great, but his next runs did suggest he was punching a little above his weight in Group events.
Axel looking at back-to-back wins
For a galloper who seems right at home and does his best in Class 4, half a million dollars in prize money is nothing to be sniffed at. And to think, the pot could grow even larger. You see, Axel is an eight-year-old – but to date, no one has dared or bothered to tell him that to his face. So he still feels like he is a galloping gadabout – always eager to show the youngsters a thing or two.
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