KUALA LUMPUR: February 2, 2025

Debutant Platinum Emperor led an all-outsider finish in the RM100,000 Wilayah Silver Bowl for five-year-olds at Sungai Besi today.

While all eyes were on the two favourites, Pacific Vampire, a winner of four of his 11 runs in Singapore, and local champion Witnessimpact, the former Macau galloper came from a long, long way back in the running to sweep past them in a flash in the final 100m to win by 2-1/4 lengths.

Witnessimpact began brilliantly and led early but Pacific Vampire swept to the front after tavelling about 300m to set a sizzling pace. Witnessimpact followed in second spot with the rest of the field trailling like a mailtrain. Platinum Emperor was languishing in 10th place.

Witnessimpact ranged alongside Pacific Vampire at the 400m and they broke away soon after. It looked like a two-horse race at the 200m when they were several lengths ahead of the rest.

However, the early effort took its toll on the two front runners. Soon after, the rest of the field began to close the gap. From wide out of the track, Platinum Emperor ‘flew’ and raced past the two favourites 100m out to win drawing away.

Shirvo, another former Macau galloper making his local debut, finished strongly to take second placing ahead of Singapore import Ototo.

Witnessimpact ran his worst race, finishing eighth while Pacific Vampire folded badly to end up 11th of 14 runners.

“I expected him (Platinum Emperor) to put up a good showing but the win was a plesant surprise,” said trainer Ricky Choi who is in China on his lunar new year holidays.

“It’s been 10 months since he last raced so I was a bit worried about that. But he has been working well.

“In Macau, he could race close to the lead but today’s pace was just too hot for him and the horse was too far behind in the running.”

“But he finished very strongly as I knew he could. The horse won up to 1800m in Macau so he will be even better over a bit of distance.”

“The horse has a good record (in Macau) and it’s the first time I am riding him.” said Nuqman Rozi.

“My instructions were to settle him where comfortable and come home, but the pace was just too fast.”

“The horse was very light on his feet when I cantered him to the start. That’s when I felt confident (of a win).”

Platinum Emperor won eight races from 1200m to 1800m over two seasons in Macau.

Choi had another red-letter day as he tasted success earlier with Platinum Glory and Family Delight, the latter giving Chinese jockey Liang Xiao Chuan his first outright win. Liang rode Snow Dragon to a deadheat win last Sunday, his first success in Malaysian soil.

Choi recorded his first treble with Lucky To Win, Luen On Feelings and Revue (now renamed Flawless) last Dec 15.