After starting his Malaysian campaign with three wins in his first four starts early this season, Stop The Water was back at his best when he led all the way in the Class 3 handicap over 1020m on the No. 2 track at Sungei Besi today.

The son of Headwater gave the handlers handful at the barriers and was the last to be loaded. But once the field jumped, he was one of the firsts to break and quickly made his way to the front to set the pace as he likes to do.

Whereas he failed to run on in his recent starts, there was no catching him this time. The five-year-old just – ridden by apprentice Akmazani Marzuki for the second time – went further and further ahead of his rivals in the home straight and won by six lengths – his biggest winning margin ever.

The favourite Pacific General followed home in second place while Tau Keh Soh, the mount of Akmazani’s brother Zulhilmi, was third.

“I thought he (Stop The Water) was going to win the first time I rode him (on Nov 22 when the pair finished second). That was over 1200m,” said Akmazani.

“Over the shorter trip today, I knew he was going to be hard to beat. He travelled well all the way. The wet track was also much to his liking.”

With Zulhilmi winning on his debut ride Forest Gold earlier in the day (see separate report), the two brothers will have much to celebrate tonight.

Winning trainer Richard Lines was also pleased to see Stop The Water returned to his winning ways.

“It looked a nice race for him. The rain all week certainly played its part.

“The boy (Akmazani) rode a lovely race in front. It’s great to see horse win as he did.”

With three wins in Singapore in 2023 and 2024, Stop The Water brought his career tally to seven wins from 28 starts.