Platinum Emperor Has G1 Gold Cup In His Sights

New Singaporean trainer Aloysius gets off the mark in Malaysia with double on Aug 2

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KUALA LUMPUR - Platinum Emperor unleashed a powerful turn of foot to again beat Cavalry in the RM62,000 (S$18,700) Supreme A race (1,600m) at Sungai Besi on Aug 3, after they finished first and second respectively in the Mitavite Asia Cup (1,400m) three weeks ago on July 12.

Platinum Emperor was hard-pressed before winning by half a length in that Metro A race last time, but the Sweynesse six-year-old had it much easier this time, coasting home by 2½ lengths to bring his record to three wins from four starts in Malaysia.

Formerly from Macau, the Ricky Choi-trained galloper's only other run was in the Group 1 Tunku Gold Cup (1,200m) on March 16, when he finished third to Noah Khan.

The latter - sent out at big odds of $89 in his first-up run after two months - motored home under Aify Yahaya to take out the other Supreme A race (1,200m) for trainer Siva Kumar two races earlier.

Marc Lerner, who won on Platinum Emperor last time, again showed his good judgment on the New Zealand-bred.

Platinum Emperor ($14) jumped well from barrier 6 and was up on the pace early, but he was caught wide. Lerner elected to ease his mount back and settled on the rails in seventh, albeit only five lengths behind pacemaker Arigato (Mohd Zaki) at the 800m mark.

By the 600m, Platinum Emperor was angled out wide and was looking for a run between runners at the top of the straight.