KUALA LUMPUR:  Sep 30, 2023

MALAYSIA CAPTAIN caused a huge upset when he led his rivals on a merry chase to win the Magic Millions Gold Coast 2YO Sale Trophy at Sungei Besi here today.

The second-least backed runner in the Class 3 - 1400m handicap proved too good for the odds-on favourite EMPEROR TAIZONG, winning by three and a half lengths.

It was a moment of redemption for Australian gelding who early this month reared and threw his rider at the start in a Supreme B race over 1250m on this track.

Purchased by China Horse Club for A$130,000 as an unraced two-year-old, MALAYSIA CAPTAIN came over from Singapore where he won three races when racing as RESOLUTION.

But after a run of poor results in late 2021 and early 2022, he was sold and renamed.

MALAYSIA CAPTAIN won his second start for trainer Richard Lines last March, also creating an upset then on the No 2 track.

The son of Toronado was the first emergency acceptor in the Trophy race today but managed to secure a run on the day.
 
Ridden by Lim Shung Uai and racing over 1400m for the first time, MALAYSIA CAPTAIN quickly took up the running after jumping well from the outside barrier (10).

He bowled along nicely in front and was several lengths clear of the field throughout. EMPEROR TAIZONG tried to catch up with the leader in the final 200m but found him too good. MALAYSIA CAPTAIN paid RM157 for a win.

MALAYSIA CAPTAIN was the final leg of a hattrick for Lim who had scored on SHANGHAI CAPTAIN and LUPIN in the previous two races.

"The instructions were to be handy," said Lim. "But after the jump there was no pace on and my horse was eager to go so I decided to take him to the front. He won with something in hand."

"He is a genuine horse," said Lines. "The 1400m was a question mark but he got a soft lead which made the difference today. Hopefully we will see him winning more races."