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A chance ride saw apprentice Zyafifie Mohd Zailuddin landed his biggest win to date and a return to winning form by Golden Pegasus in the RM80,000 Selangor Turf Club 4YO Sprint (1200m) at Sungai Besi here on Sunday.
GOLDEN PEGASUS is a A$100,000 yearling who never got to race in Australia and was subsequently sold for just A$19,000 at an online sale before landing in Malaysia in April last year and registered as Magic Turbo.
GOLDEN PEGASUS, then trained by Richard Lines, had a belated start to racing as a four-year-old last August and immediately created a big impression with three wins and a second in his first four starts.
Promoted to Class 3, the son of Star Turn was consistent in his next six starts, being placed four times and never finished further back than fifth. But there was no return to the winner's circle.
The Australian gelding was then transferred to Wayne Lim last month. He was renamed this week and sold to new a owner just three days ago.
The switch brought immediate results for his new connections.
Heart Of Fire , who started even-money favourite after winning two of his four starts, led on settling down.
GOLDEN PEGASUS settled a handy third, then moved up to nicely on the inside of the leader making the turn into the straight. He beat off HEART OF FIRE at the 300m and quickly drew away to seven-length lead at the 200m.
FATAL ATTACTION, who made a winning debut in Malaysia three weeks ago, came with a big run in the final 100m and was able to close the gap to just four lengths at the post.
HEART OF FIRE faded to finish sixth.
"I expected him (GOLDEN PEGASUS) to run a good race today but not won so impressively," said Lim. "He's got a bright future."
"He did not show speed after the jump and I had to urge him along to get him going," said Zyafifie who brought his tally for the season to 13 wins.
"He responded very well to the whip and will develop into a very good sprinter."