KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 30 -- It won't just be jockeys and thoroughbreds turning heads at the Selangor Turf Club's (STC) Merdeka Cup this year as a wave of local fans and cosplayers of the popular Japanese franchise Umamusume: Pretty Derby are trotting in to join the festivities.

Jesse Yau, one of the co-founders and administrator of a local Umamusume fan club on Facebook said local cosplayers are indeed looking forward to the aforementioned special horse race celebrating Malaysia's independence on August 31.

He said he was also hopeful that other fans, beyond the fan club - including long-timers and newcomers - would turn out in support of the event as well.

It is estimated that hundreds of Umamusume cosplayers and fans are expected to att...