Arrowfield graduate Rush became Charge Forward’s 14th stakeswinner when he took out the Penang Anniversary Cup 1200m LR on Sunday.
It’s a rather special race to win. The Penang Turf Club has revived the Anniversary Cup this year to celebrate its 150th anniversary this year. It will be run again for the next two years.
Ridden by champion jockey Jai Shankar, Rush was last in the early running but quickly moved up to the leaders as the field made the turn. Good Baby hit the front 250 metres from the post, but Rush ran him down in the final 100 metres to win by a length.
Rush began his career in Singapore in the care of trainer Michael Freedman with three wins from his first five starts and a second in the 2011 Magic Millions Juvenile Championship Sgp-3. Since his transfer to Malaysia in early 2013 he has won five races, the last three in succession. In all, the 5YO has been successful in nine of his 35 starts.
Bred by Arrowfield and Planette Thoroughbred, Rush is the third winner from Flidais (by Timber Country), best known in Australia as the dam of star filly Sweet Idea (by Snitzel).
Rush has a 2YO sister named Surf Poet, in training with Luke Oliver at Caulfield, and Sweet Idea has a yearling sister, purchased from Arrowfield for $200,000 by Gai Waterhouse & James Harron at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale. Flidais, a daughter of Group 1 winner Electronic, is once again in foal to Snitzel.
Charge Forward, also sire this season of juvenile Group 3 winner London Lolly and stakeswinner Road Trippin’, stands at a fee of $22,000 inc. GST.
