Commando II, ridden superbly by jockey Fandi won the 2008 Gold Cup race at the Royal Sabah Turf Club in Tanjung Aru, Sabah on the 27/10/2008. The race is the final classic race and offered the richest stakes money at the RSTC; RM15,000.00 to the winning horse, second placing RM6,000.00, third RM3,500.0 and fourth RM1,000.00.
The top four : 1st Commando II (Fandi)
2nd Bowlrama (Primus)
3rd Sarajevo (Vigi)
4th Ori Dream (Ramdin)
The race was open to the Class 1 & 2 ponies and run at 1800 meters.
Commando II, at the saddling barn after just arriving from Tuaran, before Race 1and waiting for his turn to run for the GOLD CUP race in Race 9.
Commando II, looking cool and behave so well at the holding paddock before coming out to the parade in front of the grandstand prior to the Cup Race. Won the race couragously under the superb ride from jockey Fandi upsetting the race favourites, Sarajevo (late Royal Star),Bowlrama and Ori Dream. Commando II, trained by Mr. Awang Bair and owned by Lucky Stable.
Second placed getter, BOWLRAMA with jockey Primus. Very eager to do the battle with the rest of the field and giving her handlers Mr Augustine Lai and is son Brian a hard time to led her around the paddock. Try hard to win the Cup race but failed to handle the sloppy track.
Expensive buy and targeted for this Cup race, SARAJEVO with jockey ViGi. The punters and racing fans hot favourite to win the Cup race but beaten to 3rd placing by Commando II and Bowlrama.
ORI DREAM, with the no.1 saddle cloth, ridden by jockey Ramdin. Allocated with the top weight of 56.0 kgs, this speedster led the field and running entirely alone at the front by herself and only get caught at the home turn by the trio. 4th placing is not a disgrace for this speedy mare because the distance didnt suit her.
The biggest crowds for this year Gold Cup race including many tourists and racing fans from the the neighbouring states of Brunei and Sarawak.
