Trainer Winson Cheng Han Yong’s decision to withdraw Graphjet Express from the Selangor Mile earned the Belardo gelding an upset win in the A Plus Selangor Silver over 1300m at Sungai Besi today.

Graphjet Express , who had won thrice in nine starts, was one of 23 horses nominated for the Selangor Mile last month.

But Cheng felt that the New Zealand gelding might not see out the 1600m of the Selangor Mile and is more suited over 1300m in the alternative race.

That assessment proved right when, under Andre da Silva, Graphjet Express came charging home after being well back in the running.

Honesty, who had finished second to Pacific Victory in the 4YO Sprint Championship, set the pace followed by Silver Dragon and Big Union. Graphjet Express was third last at the 600m.

Big Union raced up to Honesty and these two fought stride-for-stride and looked to havr the race between them. That is until the final 100m when Graphjet Express and Thunderous both flew home on the outside.

Graphjet Express won by 3/4 length from Thunderous while Big Union edged out Honesty for third placing. The winner paid RM137 for a win.

"1300m or 1400m is the ideal distance for him (Graphjet Express)," said da Silva who sat out the Selangor Mile but picked up four wins for the day.

The season's leading jockey scored on Billy Elliot and Pacific Master earlier and wrapped up the day winning on Pacific Star in the final race, bringing his tally to 46 for the season.