KUALA LUMPUR: December 7, 2025

Former Singapore galloper Big Union, winner of five of his 10 starts in Singapore last year, has struggled all season to notch his maiden win in Malaysia.

The breakthrough finally came in the RM80,000 Singapore Pools Trophy (1200m) at Sungai Besi today when he came from last to win by a big margin. It was his 14th start in the country.

While it came as a huge relief for Cat Racing Stable and trainer Jerome Tan, it was also a nice ‘welcome back’ present for jockey Nuqman Faris Rozi on his first day back in the saddle after serving a one-month suspension.

Up against strong opposition which included the likes of Super Salute, Pacific Vampire, Yes Man, Bransom and Fright, Big Union found himself trailing the field up until the 500m mark while making the turn into the straight.

Nuqman brought Big Union out widest of the field and from there he just picked up the leaders one by one.

Out in front, Yes Man set the pace from Super Happy, Pacific Vampire, Fright and Arigato.

Yes Man led into the straight from Pacific Vampire and Fright.

Pacific Vampire and Fright collared Yes Man at the 100m but almost immediately, Big Union loomed large on their outside.

Big Union swept past them with ease to win going away by three lengths. Hasten and Energy Baby flashed home to fill the minor placings.

Thanks to the sizzling pace set by Yes Man and Pacific Vampire, Big Union stopped the clock at 1min 8.58secs, just 0.28 second outside the course record.

Tan more than anyone else was elated with the win.

“I ran him (Big Union) in the Grand Singapore Gold Cup (2000m in October last year) and he finished a long last. That broke his heart and it took him a long time to find his feet after arriving in Malaysia,” said Tan.

“He has disappointed is a few times here but he also ran some good races.

“He tends to be slow off the mark and he doesn’t like the kick-back so I tried pacifier on him. This was his second run with the gear.

“I told Nuqman to just let him run on his own but get a clear run in the straight. And he did a superb job.” 

“Despite being last, he (Big Union) was travelling well,” said Nuqman.

“When I switched him out wide coming to the straight, I knew he was going to catch them.”

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