It has taken a good six months but last year’s Coronation Cup (1600m) winner Omniarch – then known as Good Star – finally bounced back to form with a hard-earned victory in the Metro A – 1700m contest at Sungai Besi today.

Following his Cup win, the Shalaa galloper was unplaced in the Piala Emas Sultan Selangor (2000m) and was subsequently transferred to trainer Richard Lines.

But the Australian gelding made no headway in three runs under the English trainer including a return to Ipoh to contest the Perak Derby (2000m) in March.

The horse was then sold last month and his new owners renamed him Omniarch, hoping that their new purchase would dominate again like his name suggests.

That apparently did trick.

Omniarch might be racing for the first time under a new name today, but he has a familiar partner in Jose De Souza, who has been his regular rider this year.

Omniarch almost threw away his chances at the start when he was the last to jump. He then had to settle towards the rear bunch as Banker’s Kingdom set the pace followed by Banker’s Victory, Pacific Padrino, Thunderous and Antipodean.

Pacific Padrino joined Banker’s Kingdom at the front at the 800m with Thunderous and Banker’s  Victory together next. Antipodean had Banker’s Honor for company in midfield, followed by Always A Gentleman and Omniarch.

The field bunched up making the turn into the straight with Banker’s Kingdom still in the lead ahead of Thunderous and Banker’s Honor. De Souza switched Omniarch wide for his run.

Thunderous hit the front momentarily at the 200m but was almost in a line with Banker’s Kingdom, Banker’s Honor and Omniarch.

In a thrilling tussle to the line, Omniarch beat Banker’s Honor by a nose with another head to Thunderous.

“After a slow jump I managed to get a run between horses,” said De Souza.

“I had to keep him on his toes and sat him one off the rails at the back of the field.

“I worked him around the bend and made my run on the outside of the trtack.

“Omniarch gave me everything. We won despite being bumped in the concluding stages.”

Lines was also thrilled with Omniarch’s first showing for him.

“Jose knows the horse well and I think that made the difference today,” he said.

“He (Omniarch) did not make it easy for himself regarding the jump but he showed today that he is a horse with ability and hopefully there are some good races in store for him in the future.”

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