After two good showings in the top flight, Sacred Buddy returned to the winner’s circle with a dominant display in the Supreme B event over 1400m at Sungai Besi today.

Not known for his gate speed in his earlier races, the son of Sacred Falls surprised a few when he was the first to break together with Streets Of Fire.

Sacred Buddy quickly took charge when the field settled down to lead from King Of Sixty-One and they were nicely clear of Groovy and Flaming Migliore.

It was a compact field when the eight runners turned for home with Sacred Buddy just ahead of King Of Sixty-One.

Sacred Buddy  pulled away from King Of Sixty-One at the 200m. Groovy gave chase from thereon but Sacred Buddy held on to win comfortably by 1-1/4 lengths. Third was King Of Sixty-One.

Winner of five of his 12 starts at Kranji, Sacred Buddy broke through for his maiden win in the country in Penang on May 31, the final day of racing at the track.

That win in Cosmo C company was followed by another success in Class 2 two runs later at Sungai Besi.

Sacred Buddy given a crack at the Selangor Gold Cup (1600m) in September and was not disgraced when sixth to Lucky Magic.

He then ran a smack-up fifth to Golden Pegasus in the Sports Toto Supreme Challenge Cup (1400m) early this month.

"We have always had a high opinion of Sacred Buddy and this race was earmarked for him for a while so I'm happy it all worked out," said trainer Simon Dunderdale.

"Sacred Buddy found the front easy as there were no obvious pacemakers. It was a nice strong win."

"It was not my intention to lead," said Khaw Choon Kit who has ridden the horse in his last four starts, winning once.

"The instructions were to sit handy but after a good jump there was no pace on.

"The horse was down in class today. He was able to lead easily and in the straight he gave plenty. There is more to come from him. And if he gets to contest a Cup again, I think he will give a better showing."