Golden Pegasus nails the Challenge

KUALA LUMPUR A resurgent Golden Pegasus stole the crown from Group 1 winner Antipodean, when the pair met for the second time in the RM100,000 (S$31,000) Sports Toto Supreme Challenge Cup (1,400m) at Sungai Besi on Nov 2.

Both gallopers were star performers in the age-group events in 2024.

The Simon Dunderdale-trained Antipodean took out the Three-Year-Old Pacific Cup (1,200m) on June 23, followed by the New Zealand Bloodstock Three-Year-Old Trophy (1,400m) on July 13.

Golden Pegasus – then trained by Wayne Lim – won both legs of the Four-Year-Old series, the Selangor Turf Club Four-Year-Old Sprint (1,200m) on June 20 and the Safar Gemilang Cup (1,600m) on July 21.

Antipodean then went on to capture the Group 1 Selangor Gold Cup (1,600m) on Sept 8 before winning the 2024 Supreme Challenge Cup on Oct 13. Golden Pegasus ran in that same race, but could manage only fourth.

The Star Turn six-year-old has spent much of 2025 trying to regain his best form, although he did bounce back when he beat five others in a Supreme A race over 1,600m on May 17.

It also took a recent change of trainer to Siva Kumar for the Australian-bred gelding to hit top gear again.

In his first outing for Siva, Golden Pegasus finished fifth to Lucky Magic in the Selangor Gold Cup on Sept 14, when he had to overcome interference midway but still ran on strongly late.

The chestnut galloper stepped up on that run to win a Supreme B race over the same trip on Oct 5, and the stage was set for a rematch with Antipodean in the Supreme Challenge Cup.

This time, Golden Pegasus’ stablemate and 2025 Group 1 Tunku Gold Cup (1,200m) winner Noah Khan was thrown into the mix.

The Swiss Ace seven-year-old was ridden by the in-form Ipoh apprentice Syafifie Zailuddin, who welcomed his first career five-timer in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 25.

The field went off to an even start, with Pacific Warrior (Jerlyn Seow) taking a narrow lead early from Cavalry (Uzair Sharudin), Emerald Lisi (Nuqman Rozi), Filial Dragon (Shafiq Rizuan), Noah Khan and Sacred Buddy (Khaw Choon Kit), who were racing in a tight bunch.

They eventually spread out, and Pacific Warrior led by 1½ lengths from Emerald Lisi and Cavalry at the 800m. Filial Dragon, Noah Khan and Golden Pegasus (Aify Yahaya) also came racing on the rails on the inside of Sacred Buddy. Antipodean (Blaike McDougall) was second last.

Pacific Warrior led into the straight, but the $9 favourite Antipodean was still sandwiched and running behind a wall of runners.

Trained by Jason Ong, Pacific Warrior battled to hold on to the lead, but he was eventually collared by Cavalry at the 200m.

While Emerald Lisi, Noah Khan, Golden Pegasus and Antipodean were stretched across the track chasing the two of them, Cavalry momentarily took a half-length lead at the 100m.

But Golden Pegasus quickly pounced on him, with Noah Khan and Antipodean also looming large on the outside.

Golden Pegasus ($57) hit the front with 50m to go, and kicked clear to win by 1½ lengths from Antipodean. Cavalry stayed on for third.

Aify, who has ridden the nine-time winner in his last three starts – including his last-start win in the Supreme B contest (1,600m) on Oct 5 – was spot-on about Golden Pegasus hitting his straps.

“I said after his last win that he (Golden Pegasus) will improve after the run, and now he has shown his true ability,” said the Malaysian jockey.

“He has been working well in training, so I was confident about the race today. He ran very well and I was very happy with him.

“I am now looking forward to the Piala Emas (Sultan) Selangor with him.”

The Group 1 Piala Emas Sultan Selangor (2,000m) on Dec 7 is the final feature at Selangor Turf Club for the 2025 season.

It was captured by the Frank Maynard-trained grey galloper Cheval Blanc in 2024. SELANGOR TURF CLUB/TURFONLINE