King back in action with Jakim Murphy

2009/11/08

WHEN Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin last rode 11-year-old gelding Jakim Murphy, the King won third place in the Malacca International Endurance Race in April.

Yesterday, Tuanku Mizan and the horse were back together, challenging for honours in the fifth edition of the Sultan's Cup at the Terengganu International Endurance Park in Lembah Bidong, Setiu.

After almost four days of continuous rain, the weather was back to normal again when the 120km race was flagged off by Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah at 5pm.

But tournament organising committee joint chairman Che Mat Din Ismail said the four-loop tracks would still be soggy to cause heavy footings for all 63 competing horses and riders.

He said eight foreign riders -- Australian Norbert Radmy who won the Tom Quilty Cup two years ago, his wife Jane, Uruguayans Maria Gonzales, Diegp Rivero and Rodrigues Suarez, Chilean Rai Mundo, Thai S. Prutirat and former New Zealand trainer John Stevenson -- took part in the competition.

"Together with 55 Malaysian riders, they all have their eyes on the trophy and US$10,000 (RM34,025) prize money.

Che Mat Din said all contestants would be required to complete the race under 12 hours, not including 140 minutes of holding time. -- ZAINUDDIN MUHAMMAD