Antipodean defied topweight and made light of a rain-affected track to score one of the best wins of his stellar career in the RM100,000 APlus Cup (Metro A – 1600m) at Sungai Besi today.

Always a consistent sort since coming on the scene in 2024, the Derryn galloper gave away at least 5kg (after claims) to his rivals and fought tenaciously to win by a neck.

Banker’s Two Six, who has won five of nine runs and beating Antipodean in his last start in May, started odds-on in the seven-horse field.

Banker’s Two Six went to the front on settling down as he loves to do. Pacific Padrino was second with Antipodean and Always A Gentleman keeping track of the front two.

Banker’s Two Six led into the straight with Antipodean making a forward move round the bend to be second ahead of Always A Gentleman. The rest of the field were not far behind.

Banker’s Two Six held on to his advantage until the 200m when Antipodean ranged alongside him.

Antipodean beat off a tiring Banker’s Two Six at the 100m and shot clear. But soon after Omniarch, who missed the jump by several lengths, was coming on to the new leader with giant strides.

Antipodean, under superb riding by Bernardo Pinheiro, fought on and won by a neck. Pacific Padrino was 3-1/2 lengths away third.

“After he (Antipodean) got to the front, he looked around a little but when another horse (Omniarch) came charging at us, he knew exactly what to do, which was to fight back,” said Pinheiro.

“Today, he was in his best form and wet track or not, it did not matter.”

“He has always raced at or near his best form but did not have the luck of the running in his recent runs,” said trainer Simon Dunderdale.

“Pinheiro admitted to me that he made some wrong judgements in his last start (finishing fifth to Omniarch).

“People asked me why not put an apprentice on (Antipodean) to claim some weight but Pinheiro knows the horse so well so there is no reason to do that.

“His next big target is the Selangor Gold Cup (1600m) in September.”

Antipodean and Pinheiro finished fourth in the race last year.

Purhcased by Dunderdale for NZ$23,000 at the New Zealand Ready To Run sale, Antipodean has now won 13 of 25 starts.

Antipodean was the third leg of a superb quadruple for Pinheiro. The Brazilian had earlier won on Tommy Gun and Defeater and later found success with Mental.

Photo: Selangor Turf Club