RELEASE THE SPIRIT IN THE MOOD TO WIN

Trainer SY Lim’s Iron Samurai and Silver Samurai also show slashing form at Selangor

- Brian Miller

It should have been a third win from seven starts.

In that Class 4A race over 1,020m at the Selangor Turf Club on Aug 24, Release The Spirit carried not just stable confidence, but also the support of racing fans in the grandstand. However, it was not to be.

Everything went wrong for the $15 favourite, who could manage only fourth in that sprint event won by Wealthyness.

Not only was the Richard Lines-trained galloper “awkwardly placed” at the 800m, but he also shifted out at the 700m, and raced wide thereafter.

After the race, jockey Oscar Chavez was examined by the medical team and was stood down for the rest of the programme as he was feeling unwell.

Come Sept 21, Release The Spirit will get another chance to add to his two wins. As part of his preparation, his British handler sent him out for a spot of work on the morning of Sept 16.

The Nicconi four-year-old ran the 600m ina fluent 39.3sec, with which Lines would have been pleased.