Bransom defied a rise in class and overcame rough passages to win the Supreme A sprint over 1020m on the No. 2 track at Sungai Besi today.

The win showed just how much the son of Brazen Beau has progressed since coming over from Singapore with five wins in the lower classes.

Bransom had his first Malaysian start on March 1 but that didn’t go too well, finishing eighth over 1200m.

Trainer Simon Dunderdale then sent him over 1020m on the inside track and Bransom responded with an easy win under Carlos Henrique two weeks ago in a Class 3 contest.

Bouyed by the win, Dunderdale decided to pit him against some smart gallopers around in the set-weight event today.

Pacific Vampire, who led for most of the Tunku Gold Cup three weeks ago, and Platinum Fort, fourth on his Malaysia debut in that race, were the first two favourites. Bransom, despite his last-start success, went off at RM57.

There was mad scramble for the early lead and Henrique found himself racing four-wide. He then decided to ease his mount back to allow Renzo to lead from General Command with Pacific Vampire and Platinum Fort in close attendance.

Turning out of the back straight, Henrique managed to cross over to the rails racing fifth. It was a position that nearly cost him the race.

Pacific Vampire led into the straight from Renzo with General Command next. Bransom was now closing in next on the rails.

Sticking to the rails run, Henrique found his path forward blocked by a line of three horses in front: Renzo on the rails, Pacific Vampire and General Command on their outside.

It was only after the 200m when General Command charged up to Renzo that Henrique was able to ease out from behind him.

Once in the clear, Bransom soon opened up in fine fashion and went on to win easily by 1-1/2 lengths. Pacific Victory flashed home on the outside in the closing stages to beat General Command for second.

“Bransom didn’t have the easiest of runs but still managed to win quite easily,” said Dunderdale.

“He was up a class and that was a concern. But he loves the inside track and the 1020m.”

“Amazing win,” exclaimed Henrique who had a double today (winning on Flaming Migliore earlier).

“I was cruising behind the pace but could not find a gap on the inside.

“Once I moved him out, he (Bransom) changed gear and did an amazing job.”