SUPERB CLASSIC’s phenomenal return to form in Malaysia — after having been written off in Singapore and moved across the causeway — was marked by another stylish performance in the RM750,000 Selangor Gold Cup over 1,600m at Sungei Besi here today.

Partnered by Oh Seng Hong again, the six-year-old bay Australian gelding by Strategic out of Put Her On Ice (by It’s Freezing) followed up on his first big success in the RM500,000 Tunku Gold Cup (1,200m) in February to register his first victory over the "mile".

In the process, the Cecil Robert-trained SUPERB CLASSIC defeated two very consistent big race performers in GREG IS GREAT (6 b.a.g Pricelessly - Speech Of Praise by Cheraw), winner of two MRA Cups, and OPPOSING FORCE (8 ch.nz.g Jetball - Delia’s Choice by Sir Tristram), multiple classic winner who also won this race last year.

It also earned SUPERB CLASSIC a RM250,000 bonus for winning two legs of the Selangor Turf Club Triple Crown Series. And if he can pull off another victory in the third leg, the RM1.5 million Piala Emas Sultan Selangor in June, another RM500,000 bonus awaits him.

All these coming from a horse who, after winning two and placed thrice in six starts in Singapore, was spelled for 12 months and finally made his comeback in Malaysia in June last year.

Costing just A$17,000 at the QBBS Yearling Sale in Queensland, SUPERB CLASSIC showed promise with two wins and two seconds in as many starts in Australia and two placings in six outings in New Zealand at three.

In Singapore, he was third to LIM’S REWARD in the Patrons’ Bowl but it was only last December when he broke through in Malaysia to win the Pesta Pulau Pinang Cup that racegoers took notice of him again.

Meanwhile, American trainer John Brink bid farewell to local racing on a winning note when he saddled SIMBA COMMANDER to victory in the RM80,000 Japan Racing Association Cup over 1,400m.

It was the seventh win in 24 starts for the six-year-old bay Australian gelding by Kirchtorte out of Pretty Fussy (by Night Shift) who was resuming after a brief let-up.

Brink now goes on a six-month leave but whether he will return to the local shores remains to be seen. Brink first came to Malaysia 12 years ago and later moved to Singapore.