LABU LABU proved without doubt that he is the "king" of the Ipoh straight when he scored his third consecutive win in the RM200,000 Sultan Gold Vase over 1,100m.

It was also the first ever hattrick in any classic event in the Malaysia-Singapore circuit, although back in the fifties, the mighty THREE RINGS won three Singapore Gold Cups over four years. Champion sprinter FISCHER also won the Sprint Trophy three times in four seasons in the nineties.

LABU LABU has not tasted success since his victory 12 months ago, but with K K Loh back to partner him, the six-year-old bay Australian gelding by Island Morn out of the Pago Pago mare Tropical Punch showed that he has no equal over the straight course, winning by one-and-a-quarter lengths.

CHIEF EMPEROR (8 b.a.g El Moxie - Somerset Smile by Mendip Man), who was third in this event last year, improved to grab second spot from SPEEDY FORWARD (6 b.am.g Hazaam - Co Reality by Copelan), a former Singapore galloper who was having his first start in Malaysia.

The Simon Liew trained LABU LABU has now won 10 times in 29 starts, earning RM900,000 in prizemoney.

Meanwhile, CLOUD NINE, winner of the RM300,000 Wira Malaysia Cup last year, also found his winning form after 12 months out in the cold to repeat his victory in the 1,600m event for Malaysian breds.