Eruption Ready For Class 3 Challenge

Trainer Moy confident his new Buffalo ward can go back-to-back despite the rise in class

- Michael Lee

Malaysian debut winner Eruption tackles stronger opposition in Kuala Lumpur on March 9, with trainer Lawson Moy hoping that natural progression can help his ward measure up.

A former two-time winner over 1,400m for Tim Fitzsimmons at Kranji, the Buffalo Stable-owned galloper franked that trip preference at his launch across the border in the Class 4A (1,400m) at Sungai Besi on Jan 26.

Ridden by visiting Australian jockey Blaike McDougall, the Xtravagant four-year-old flew the lids to secure the lead, which he never surrendered on his way to the winning post.

Moy is not changing a winning formula distance-wise, but is stepping him up in grade to the RM53,000 (S$16,000) Class 3 race on Sunday.

Barrier No. 10 does not excite, but the Singaporean handler hopes the gelding's early toe can take care of that hurdle, especially as it was the main ingredient in his winning Malaysian introduction.