Impel wins Listed Tunku (Selangor) Gold Cup

Former Kiwi galloper Impel (Gonski – Solaris) recorded a smashing victory in the Listed RM212,000 Tunku Gold Cup (1200m) at Sungei Besi on Tuesday, and remains unbeaten in three starts in Malaysia.

Impel (NZ), pictured here before the 2011 Karaka Festival Sale.

Impel was purchased by Group 1 Cox Plate winning trainer Mrs Moira Murdoch for NZ$15,000 from Eqwine Farm at the 2011 Karaka Festival Sale (Lot 1200).

The six-year-old gelding, partnered with jockey Ruzaini Supien, settled midfield early but gradually made up ground on the leaders next to the rail and was poised to strike at the home bend.

A gap opened up at the top of the straight when the leader Black And White (Mutawaajid) drifted out and Impel quickly charged through and went on to win by three lengths. Black And White finished second, with California Cat (Antonius Pius) a neck away in third.

The Tunku Gold Cup is a Group One in Malaysia and given Listed status internationally, and was first run as the Selangor Gold Cup in 1939. In 1968, the Selangor Turf Club decided to rename the race Tunku Gold Cup in honour of Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia's first prime minister and No. 1 racing fan.

Impel won twice in seven starts in New Zealand, and had eight starts in Singapore for a win and four placings at Kranji.