With his nemesis Snow Dragon out of the picture, there was no stopping Stop The Water as he cruised to a 2-1/4-length win in a Class 3 – 1020m sprint on the No. 2 track at Sungai Besi today.

The son of Headwater came over from Singapore with a record of three wins in 15 starts at Kranji and was instant success on his Malaysian debut in a Class 4A race over 1020m on the No. 2 track last Jan 26.

In that race, however, Stop The Water had to share honours with Snow Dragon when nothing could seperate them at the post.

The pair were both promoted to Class 3 and they met again in their next start in a Class 3 handicap over 1200m on the main track early this month.

Again, they broke away from the rest of the field in the straight to fight out the finish.

And just when it looked like they could be heading for another deadheat, Snow Dragon popped his head in front at the post and won by a head.

Back to racing on the No. 2 track today, jockey Laercio De Souza allowed Stop The Water, a normal front runner, to settle second behind Heart Of Fire who took up the early running.

Stop The Water was travelling so well De Souza allowed his mount to close in on the outside of the leader at the 600m. And the pair were level going into the straight.

Heart Of Fire did a good job holding the rest at bay initially but Stop The Water gradually closed the gap and ranged alongside the leader at the 200m.

Shortly, he broke away Heart Of Fire and went on to win easily. Surrey Hills finished well to beat Heart Of Fire for second.

“The horse (Stop The Water) has been improving,” said De Souza who has ridden him in all his three outings in Malaysia thus far.

“He went to the line very well and I hope he will again next start.”

“It looked a good race for him (Stop The Water) today,” said trainer Richard Lines. “The jockey rode a perfect and the horse did a great job.”

RESULTS AT A GLANCE:  Tote No / Horse / Trainer / Jockey / Position