FORMER KRANJI GALLOPER CONTARELLI WINS AT TRIALS

Ricky Choi's pair of Iron Head, Handsome Joyful getting tuned up for Malaysian debut

- Brian Miller

On a busy morning of trials at the Selangor Turf Club, a former Kranji runner served notice of good things to come at his new home base in the Malaysian capital.

His name: Contarelli.

Formerly with trainer Donna Logan but now under the charge of Nick Selvan, the five-year-old would have impressed those at trackside on Nov 5.

After all, it was on the No. 2 grass track—which was rated yielding—that he put together a smart trial.

Ridden by apprentice Khairil Zulkiflee, Contarelli was always up with the leading pack and claimed the outright lead at the 500m mark.

Given rein and the freedom to gallop, he was never really threatened over the 1,000m and, when the challengers did arrive, he showed that he had plenty left in the tank.

In the end, and as it turned out, he did not have to dig deep into those reserves and, like a good horse, he allowed sheer momentum to carry him home.

Garudan, from Sharee Hamilton's yard, tossed in a late challenge but had to be content with the "silver medal".

As for the winner, he failed by a heartbeat to break the minute-mark when clocking 1min 0.17sec for the trip. Thunderstorm, who led over the initial 200m, took third.