Fortune Rising returned after a spell and a change of trainer to keep his unbeaten record intact with a runaway win in the Class 2 – 1100m sprint at Sungai Besi today, and in the process gave rookie apprentice Lim Weng Hooi with his first career win.

Since making his debut a few weeks back, Lim has been placed four times and came agonishingly close to notch his maiden success the previous race when beaten a short head on Lucky Freedom.

Lim picked himself up and rode the odds-on favourite Fortune Rising with confidence and maturity.

Fortune Rising was amongst the firsts to break but Lim allowed Shimi Go to take the lead and settle second on his outside early.

Making the turn at the 600m, Rizzler made a swift move to join Shimi Go in front and Fortune Rising was next with the rest of the field starting to close in making the turn into the straight.

Shimi Go drifted out from the rails just a little at the top of the straight which allowed Fortune Rising to take a run on his inside and gunning for the lead.

Fortune Rising hit the front at the 250m and pulled away in the run home to win by 4-1/4 lengths from Storm Titan. Third was Cheval Pegasus.

“Firstly, I want to thank my trainer (HY Cheng) and fellow jockeys who trusted me all the way,” said the Penang-born Lim, 24, who was first inspired by the late jockey Salee Saad.

“Although I have failed a few times they still gave me positive comments and keeping up my spirits. Without them this (my first win) would not happen.”

Lim first joined trainer Sharee Hamilton’s stable in Penang as a syce before moving to Kuala Lumpur to join Cheng as a track rider.

He enrolled in the Apprentice Jockey School at the Selangor Turf Club and was granted his apprentice licence last month.

Fortune Rising was placed in four of five starts in Sydney as a juvenile, winning twice at Randwick and Rosehill. He also earned a spot in the Golden Slipper but finished down the field.

After five unplaced runs at three, he was sold and headed for Malaysia, and seemingly destined for the top in the country.