KUALA LUMPUR: January 26, 2025

History was made at Sungai Besi today when Liang Xiao Chuan became the first jockey from China to ride a winner on the local circuit.

Never mind that Liang, who rode in China before he became an apprentice in Macau and spent four seasons at the former Portugese enclave, had to share the spoils with Brazilian jockey Laercio De Souza in the Class 4A sprint over 1020m on the No. 2 track.

Liang, astride Snow Dragon, and De Souza, who was riding Stop The Water, provided the most thrilling spectacle of the day when the two horses went to the line locked together. The camera could not separate them and a deadheat was declared.

There was a mad scramble for the early lead, Snow Dragon and Stop The Water among them.

Stop The Water eventually took command and led from Rich N Powerful and Richard Mule. Snow Dragon was parked nicely on the rails in fourth spot.

Stop The Water made the turn a bit wide which allowed Rich N Powerful to creep up on his inside. They matched strides into the straight with Snow Dragon right behind them.

Rich N Powerful was beaten at the 200m. Stop The Water hit the front with Snow Dragon coming through on his inside and the pair staged a thrilling duel to the end.

Snow Dragon was a head in front at one stage but Stop The Water fought back in the shadows of the post.

“I told Liang to sit behind the pace, not to be too eager like has done in previous rides for me,” said trainer Ricky Choi.

“After finishing third in three successive races, Snow Dragon deserves the win today.”

“He (Snow Dragon) did not respond to my whipping which was why I only rode him hands-and-heels,” said Liang.

“I am happy to get my first win in Malaysia. But I still have a lot to learn.

“I also need to build up my body strength in order to be competive.”

Placed once in two runs in Australia, Snow Dragon managed four wins in three seasons in Macau.

Stop The Water was making his Malaysia debut after notching three wins in five starts in Singapore.

In collaboration with: