Reverting to his favourite distance after failing to show up in two recent runs, Irish Goodbye waved away all rivals to win the iRace Trophy (Class 3 – 1400m) at Sungai Besi today.

The Brazilian gelding by Setembro Chove was already five when he made his racing debut last September and immediately caught the imagination of the racing public with three unbeaten starts over 1400m in Class 4.

Since then, Irish Goodbye has been tried over varying distances in five subsequent starts, winning a Supreme B race over 1600m in January.

His two results, while disappointing, were against much stronger opposition.

Irish Goodbye came in last in the Chinese New Year Prosperity Trophy (1600m) and seventh in a Stayers Stakes A race over 1800m, both races won by Banker’s Two Six who went on to run fourth in the Perak Derby last Sunday.

But over 1400m, Irish Goodbye proved unrivalled.

One of the firsts to break, Irish Goodbye shared the early lead with Anego before the latter surged ahead to lead out of the back straight from Banker’s General, Gulf Eagle and Irish Goodbye in a line.

Anega led into the straight with Gulf Eagle joining him on his outside while a big gap opened up on the rails for Irish Goodbye to come through.

Irish Goodbye hit the front approaching the 400m, then went further and further ahead in the run to the post to win by 3-1/2 lengths. Banker’s Beautiful came through a pack of horses to finish second with a gap to Cool Sixty-One third in third spot.

It’s the fifth win in nine runs for Irish Goodbye and he is unbeaten in four runs over 1400m.

“The horse appreciated 1400m and was assisted by a nice, calculated ride by Uzair,” said trainer Lawon Moy.

“This horse is special when it comes to the distance (1400m),” said Uzair who has ridden the gelding in all his starts.

“He was ideally drawn today so I tried to get cover which I did.

“In the straight, the gap opened up nicely for me. He went to the line very well.”