It was a race where most punters thought Witnessimpact (RM6) was going to notch his fifth consecutive win to extend his unbeaten run in Malaysia, with his only challenge coming from the champion sprinter Awesome Storm (RM13).

Sincerely  was the third pick in the eight-horse field at RM98 and the rest went off at three figures on the tote.

Sincerely might have been disappointing in all his three attempts in the big races this season but his class and fighting quality remain. And it told.

The race fell in right into his hands when Violet overtook the early leader Gingerella to set a cracking pace on settling down

Witnessimpact and Sincerely were right behind them early and when the pace quickened, jockey Laercio De Souza eased Sincerely back to midfield hugging the rails.

Violet led into the straight with Witnessimpact moving up to second on the outside Gingerella . Good Fight  and Sincerely had closed in to just 1-1/2 lengths away.

Witnessimpact  was about to challenge Violet at the 300m but was inclined to duck in and jockey Ridzuan Shafiq had to straighten him and again at the 100m. The two incidents cost the favourite dearly.

Meanwhile, De Souza was winding up Sincerely for a run and the eight-year-old raced past the leaders with ease inside the final 100m to win by 2-1/4 lengths. Good Fight (Andre Luis Da Silva) flashed home to beat Witnessimpact for second placing.

It was Sincerely's fourth win in two seasons in Malaysia after having to spend one and a half years on sidelines following his campaign in Singapore.

The French gelding, who had cost €160,000 as a yearling, landed at Kranji with a very impressive record, winning one of two races at two. At three he won twice including the listed Prix Millkom at Toulouse and was placed second in his other three starts including the listed Prix FBA-Aymeri de Mauleon, also at Toulouse.

In Singapore, Sincerely managed a win each in Class 2 and Class3 and was third to Super Dynasty in the 2020 Colonial Chief Stakes (Group 3).

"The fast early pace defnitely played into his hands and De Souza had him in a perfect position." said trainer Richard Lines.

"It was pleasant surprise to see him win as he did and hopefully there are more wins in store."

"I am surprised at his win today," said De Souza who has ridden Sincerely a few times in the past without sucecss. "It wasn't an easy field but he gave me plenty towards the end."