Koondakaara appreciated a slightly longer trip than his previous outings to capture the RM100,000 Baby Pery Cup (Class 3 – 1200m) at Sungai Besi today.

In his first outing after a recent change of trainer to Tiang Kim Choi and a promotion to Class 3, the Delago Deluxe gelding came from well back in the running to finish fourth to Banker’s Boss over 1100m two weeks ago.

With a couple of big names in today’s race, Koondakaara got in with a handy 52kg (52.5 after overweight).

A heavy downpour prior to the race also played a part of the gelding’s second win in the country.

First to break and the clear leader early, jockey Uzair Sharudin quickly eased him back to settle behind the pace. Fright took up the running to lead from Eruption and Koondakaara but a very keen Duma moved up swiftly to be second as the field raced past the 800m.

Fright made a break away and was five lengths clear at the 600m. Eruption was next turning into th straight, ahead of Koondakaara, Mega Gems and Duma.

Fright was still three lengths clear at the 200m but Koondakaara slowly but surely wore him down in the run home to win by half a length. Pacific Pery finished well to take third placing.

“The light weight and the track conditions suited him today,” said Tiang.

“He has also imrproved since his last run.”

Uzair, who rode Koondakaara twice for a second when the gelding was trained by Jason Ong, said a change of riding tactics also did the trick.

“He used to race in front but found it hard to finish it off.

“He was also keen to go today but I held him back as per our intention to come from off the pace and only made our move in the straight.

“The horse has also improved a lot since I last rode him.”

Koondakaara finished on board in all his five starts in Australia but found one to beat thrice.

After winning his local debut last November, he also found one to beat four times before he was placed under the care of Tiang.