Champion trainer Dunderdale’s Shinjuku also puts in a solid gallop in Kuala Lumpur

Good Star  was a "good thing beaten" when he had to settle for third to the talented four-year-old Duma at his last start in a Class 3 race (1,400m) on Aug 9.

That day, under Uzair Sharudin, the Mahadi Taib-trained galloper ran home in the torrential rain, albeit he did lay in a few times in the home straight.

Fans who supported the $13 race favourite took a beating.

At his second-last start in the RM1 million (S$305,000) Selangor Mile (1,600m) at Sungai Besi on July 20, when he went up against some of the best four-year-old milers in Malaysia, the five-year-old son of Shalaa came up short by a neck to trainer Winson Cheng Han Yong's dual Group 1 winner, Lucky Magic.

Connections fired in a protest for interference after the race, but stewards dismissed it.

But his Singaporean conditioner would not have lost much sleep over the two let-downs, given the former Australian galloper's – when known as Pride Of Shalaa – good records in Kuala Lumpur.

In five starts in the Malaysian capital, Good Star has produced one win, two seconds and two thirds.

He has also won once over 1,500m in Australia previously.

Now in preparation for his next start on Aug 31, Mahadi sent him out for a spot of work on Aug 26 and, true to form, Good Star did not disappoint, clocking a trouble-free 40sec for that 600m hit-out.

Good Star will see action in the Merdeka Cup, one of 15 "black type" races held at the Selangor Turf Club in 2025.

It is a race which celebrates Malaysia's National Day and will be run over the 1,800m.

On his record to date, the track and trip should suit as Good Star has finished second twice over the mile, and whose come-from-behind style of racing tells us that the extra 200m could be just what he is looking for.

will be engaged in the same race, and was also impressive on the training track. On a track rated good, he went fast, clocking 38.2sec for the 600m.

Prepared by reigning champion trainer Simon Dunderdale, Shinjuku finished fourth to Infinity Victory in a Class 4A race (1,700m) at his last start on Aug 9.

It came after the Tarzino five-year-old had missed out by a head to Pacific Star in a Class 4A contest (1,600m) on Aug 2.

Shinjuku won twice in Australia, but has yet to break through in five starts in Malaysia. He is getting there and a bold showing in the Merdeka Cup will not come as much of a surprise.

Aside from the Merdeka Cup, there is another feature race at the 12-race meeting on Aug 31.

It is the Trinity Cup and it is a 1,400m event for Class 1 gallopers.

The Jason Ong-trained Pacific Vampire looks the one to beat, but the classy sprinter will not be short of challengers, and one of them could be another former sprinter from Kranji, King Arthur.

Singapore racegoers will remember him for his exploits at Kranji where, under the tutelage of Donna Logan and Mark Walker, he was a true money-spinner and won nine races.

Now trained by Logan's former assistant trainer, Hamsha Aloysius, the eight-year-old has won one race from four starts in Malaysia. It was a Metro A event (1,100m) on Feb 2, albeit he was under the care of Sivan Veerapen then.

The son of I Am Invincible has been sparingly raced at his new base, his last start – and only run under Mahadi – being the Penang Turf Club Farewell Trophy (1,300m) on May 31 when he finished ninth to Super Salute.

King Arthur still has some good racing in those legs of his and the Trinity Cup could be the ideal stage for him to show off at his first run for Aloysius.

Also on the day, watch out for Guess Me .

The Cheng-trained New Zealand-bred colt turned in a smart workout, running the 600m in a swift 37.6sec.

He put up a commendable show when finishing fourth to Singha Bay at his last start in a Restricted Maiden race (1,200m) on July 27.

The Complacent four-year-old goes over the 1,500m in an Open Maiden contest on Aug 31 and he could play a big part at the finish.