Mahadi Gets Key Win With Good Star In Merdeka Cup

Antipodean takes out Trinity Cup for Malaysian champion trainer Dunderdale

- Sharon Zhang

Up-and-coming galloper Good Star has given trainer Mahadi Taib his first "black type" win in three years of training after he gained the verdict in the RM100,000 (S$30,400) Merdeka Cup (1,800m) at Sungai Besi on Aug 31.

The unassuming Singaporean handler's milestone win and third victory this year came at the auspicious Selangor Merdeka meeting, where all 12 races are named to celebrate Malaysia's 68th National Day.

Good Star, who has won one race over 1,500m in Australia when known as Pride Of Shalaa, has never been out of the placings in six starts in Malaysia, recording two wins, two seconds and two thirds.

The son of Shalaa came agonisingly close in the Selangor Mile (1,600m) on July 20, but was beaten a neck in second by the Winson Cheng Han Yong-trained dual Group 1 winner, Lucky Magic.

Regular partner Shafiq Rizuan was the winning rider on board Lucky Magic then, but the Malaysian jockey took the reins on Good Star for the first time on Sunday, and booted home his first winner for Mahadi.

Drawing a double-digit gate for the fifth time in six runs, Good Star broke from the widest gate 12 under Shafiq, but could not find cover in the 12-horse field.

Good Star sat three deep without cover in midfield, with Pacific Warrior (Jerlyn Seow) in the lead and Platinum Glory (Oscar Chavez) trailing in second, but he soon moved up closer and tucked himself behind Valois (Bernardo Pinheiro), who sat in fourth just outside of Pacific Star (Andre da Silva) on the rails.

Approaching the turn, Shafiq took Good Star to the outside for his final assault.