25-05-2025
King Ravana brings up first career win for Khor in Ipoh
IPOH - Khor Peng Hwa was thrilled to be welcoming his first winner at his third meeting as a full-fledged trainer, when King Ravana took out the opener in Ipoh on May 24.
Previously known as Gold Rush when trained by Tan Kah Soon in Singapore, King Ravana ran seventh over 1,400m in his first run for the new Malaysian handler in Ipoh on May 11.
He then ground out a tough win in the the RM20,000 (S$6,000) Class 5A event (1,600m) second-up.
The $27 shot led in the straight under Saddam Saari. But at the 200m, A Better Tomorrow (Harmeet Singh Gill), on his outside, and Circuit Star (Lim Shung Uai), on his inside, drew level with him.
King Ravana fought back with every stride to score by ¾ length from A Better Tomorrow eventually. Circuit Star finished third.
Before the Ipoh-born Khor - more popularly known as Ah Lek - received his trainer's licence in April 2025, he was an assistant trainer to the late Dutch-Malaysian trainer Evert van Breukelen, and more recently, Peter Lee.
The 60-year-old had tasted success regularly while working under his former bosses, but this time, he won it in his own right.
Khor did not dream of working in the racing industry, even if he was born into racing, figuratively.
"My father, Khor Sun Yam, was a gardener with the Perak Turf Club, and my family stayed in the staff quarters on the racecourse grounds," he said.
"I played with horses in the stables as a kid, but I never thought I would be in racing."
Khor studied up to Form Six, but had no idea what to do for his first job. It was then when he recalled enjoying the company of the horses and the excitement of seeing the equine athletes in action.
He started out as a syce with trainer Mohd Zafir when he was 20 years old. After working under Loh Kit Soon and Johnny Kok, he joined van Breukelen as a stable supervisor.
Khor was also granted his B trainer's licence while with van Breukelen, but when his mentor passed away, he joined Lee for four years.
King Ravana's victory did not come easy, but Khor praised the Jimmy Choux eight-year-old for his sheer grit in races.
"I am elated to finally saddle my first winner. I want to thank the Perak Turf Club for giving me the licence," said Khor, who is single. "Last time, the 1,400m was a bit too short for him. The 1,600m and 1,800m should be his best trips.
"I was not so worried even if he looked a bit one-paced (in the last 200m), because he has a big heart and would always find that extra gear. The last time he won (on March 3, under Lee), he fought back to beat his then-stablemate (Char Kway Teow) by a nose.
"He should be up in Class 4 next, which is tougher. We'll see what is available on the programme."
Unplaced in 12 starts at Kranji, King Ravana broke through immediately in Malaysia in 2022. He had four consecutive wins for Leong Poh Keong, before picking up two more in 2023 and 2024 when under Lee's care.
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