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Super-consistent Pacific Victory was rewarded with his first trophy success when he beat a top-notch field in the RM200,000 4 Year Old Sprint Championship (1200m) at Sungai Besi today.
But a bigger prize could be in store for the Rubick gelding when he lines up for the RM1mil Selangor Mile, a 1600m race for four-year-olds, on Jul 20.
That has always been the target for Pacific Victory since crossing over from Singapore where he won three races in the lower reaches in Class 4 and 5.
But the Australian gelding has taken to his new surroundings in Kuala Lumpur like duck to water, winning his debut in Class 3 last December and since added five more victories and notched three seconds in 10 starts total.
The topweight and favourite Antipodean was brilliantly away from his inside barrier and led briefly. But War Star soon charged to the front to lead from Honesty and Stop The Water. Up next were Antipodean, Thunderous and Pacific Victory .
War Star led into the straight with Stop The Water closing in ahead of Honesty. Antipodean was poised to strike just behind the trio on the rails. Pacific Victrory and Thunderous also came into the picture.
War Star soon came under pressure. Honesty hit the front with Antipodean looking for a run on the rails and Pacific Victory charging home on the outside.
Pacific Victory hit the front close while Honesty fought back with every stride to hold on for second placing ahead of Antipodean who was inclined to hang out and jockey Wong Chin Chuen has to straighten him a number of times.
"He (Antipodean) used to charge home on the outside of horses and he didn't appreciate to be on the rails," said Wong who flew in from Seoul for a flying visit.
But take nothing away from the winner Pacific Victory. "He is improving with every run," said trainer Jason Ong.
"He was in better shape than in his previous start."
"I will see how he pulled up but he will be going for the Selangor Mile if all goes well. That is the target.
"He is a versatile sort and should take the mile as he has won over the distance.
"He is our stable favourite."
Jerlyn Seow has ridden in all but one of Pacific Victory's 10 starts in Malaysia.
"We reckoned that the pace will be very fast early on so our strategy was to let him stay off the pace and come from there," said Seow.
"He is such a genuine horse."