LIGHT OF SUCCESS put a sterling performance when he came from second at the home turn to capture the RM1.35m Yang Di Pertua Negeri (Governor) Gold Cup over 2200m here today.

In the process, the six-year-old bay Australian gelding by Military Plume out of the Scenic mare Scentessa became the first Kranji trained horse to win a race in Malaysia.

Two horses from Singapore took part — and failed — in the RM1m Astro Wah Lai Toi Sprint Trophy (1400m) last September in the first cross-border race meeting held in Penang since the ban on the movement of horses was imposed by the Singapore authorities in 1999.

This time around, the Len Treloar-trained LIGHT OF SUCCESS and Steven Burridge’s charge KING AND KING made the long journey north to tackle the end-of-season handicap.

While KING AND KING was in midfield and prominent throughout, LIGHT OF SUCCESS was unsighted and looking for a run at the top of the straight. But as luck would it, the run opened up for him nicely.

Last week’s Anniverary Cup winner CHINA ROCK took command in the back straight and was first to turn for home. JERAM SPECIAL and FREE SPIRIT, the first and second horses in the recent SLTC Juvenile Million Challenge, quickly tackled him and the three were almost in a line at the 200m.

JERAM SPECIAL and FREE SPIRIT cleared away from CHINA ROCK at the 100m looks set to fight out the finish. It was then that LIGHT OF SUCCESS opened up with giant strides and went after the leaders.

LIGHT OF SUCCESS, winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) last April and third in the Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) in November, collared the leaders in the last couple of strides to beat JERAM SPECIAL by a short head.

FREE SPIRIT was another short head away third with KING AND KING battling on for fourth. CHINA ROCK finished fifth.

Despite racing in the tail-end for most of the race, triumphant jockey Aaron Spiteri said it was exactly where he wanted the horse to be. But he also acknowledged that he was lucky to get the opening like he did.