A switch of rider to Ridzuan Shafiq saw Good Star bounced back to winning form to win the RM100,000 Merdeka Cup, which was restricted to horses six-year-old and below, over 1800m at Sungai Besi today.
Shafiq, of course, is the winning rider (on Lucky Magic) in the RM1mil Selangor Mile last month while Good Star was considered by many to be a good thing beaten (by a neck) in that race for four-year-olds.
Good Star was then installed favourite in the ACE Geosynthetics Trophy (Class 3 – 1400m) three weeks ago but had no luck in running when finishing third to Duma.
Racing for the first time beyond the mile today, Good Star was able to show his true quality.
Pacific Warrior led the field from Platinum Glory with Valois, Shinjuku, Pacific Star, Latin Legend and Good Star in a bunch behind the pace early.
Pacific Warrior continued to set the pace from Platinum Glory. Pacific Star and Valois were next with Good Star settling on the outside of Latin Legend at the 800m.
Pacific Warrior led into the straight from Platinum Glory. Valois was still there but Good Star had moved to a handy position on their outside but it took him a while to get into full flight.
It was only in the final 100m that he managed to race past the two front runners but Latin Legend was also looming large on the outside.
Latin Legend was flashing home in the closing stages but Good Star fought on to win by a neck. Strong White came from a long way back in the running to finish third.
"I was not worried about the distance, 1800m, today. I was just worried about the draw (12 of 12 runners)," said trainer Mahadi Taib.
"But then every went well today and the jockey (Shafiq) did a good job on the horse."
"Good Star is a good horse and he had the race won a long way out," said Shafiq.
"But even if he were to run in the Selangor Gold Cup (on Sep 14), I will stick to Lucky Magic."
Good Star went under the hammer for A$100,000 as a yearling but managed just one win over 1506m and two placings in 14 starts in Australia.
Mahadi then bought him at an online sale for A$4,250 and the gelding has now won twice and placed four times in as many starts in Malaysia.
