Pacific Energy, beaten narrowly in the Tunku Gold Cup (1200m) in March, turned the tables on the winner Fortune Tree to capture the RM200,000 4YO Sprint Championship (1200m) at Sungai Besi today.

Fortune Tree beat Duma and Pacific Energy in a three-way photo in the Group 1 race.

While Fortune Tree had a change of trainer since that big win and rested since, Pacific Energy went on to pick up a win, a third and a second in three starts coming into the race today and that proved to be the difference this time.

Fortune Tree, despite putting on 17 kg in body weight since his last run, was in front from the word “go” although he had Campionessa and Banker’s Dream for company early.

But making the turn at the 600m, Fortune Tree began to pull away and led into the straight from Campionessa. Pacific Energy by then had moved up to third on the rails followed by Banker’s Dream and Jinling Starblitz.

Pacific Energy switched out from the rails to go after Fortune Tree at the 300m and caught up with him shortly after the 200m.

These two then drew away from the rest to fight out the finish, with Pacific Energy winning by 1-1/4 lengths. Banker’s Happy was a similar distance away third. Duma came from second last early to finish fourth.

“He (Pacific Energy) is such a good and consistent horse and Jerlyn (Seow) knows the horse so well,” said trainer David Kok.

“I have nominated him for the Selangor Mile. The distance is a suspect for him but there is no reason not to run him.

“Of course, I will have to wait to see how he pulls up today.”

“The fast pace (set by Fortune Tree) today suited him,” said Seow who has now partnered the Super Seth galloper to all his five wins in the country.

Pacific Energy is a two-time winner at Caulfield before landing here for Pacific Stable.

“I was able to take a sit and make my move in the straight. He is such a genuine horse.”

Fortune Tree’s new trainer HY Cheng was pleased with the run.

“He needed the run after the long rest and will be a different proposition in the Selangor Mile.

Cheng won the inaugural running of the Selangor Mile with Lucky Magic last year.

Photo: Selangor Turf Club