Trainer HY Cheng may have been disappointed that Fortune Tree was beaten a head by Aquataine in the RM1mil Selangor Mile (1600m), but he can take heart that he has another potential Cup winner in Fortune Rising.

The Alabama Express galloper stayed unbeaten in four starts in the country when he won the RM100,000 Trinity Selangor Silver (1300m) at Sungai Besi this afternoon.

“I have ridden many top horses here in Malaysia and he (Fortune Rising) is up with them,” said winning jockey Jose De Souza.

“It’s not easy to jump from a wide barrier to get across but he did.

“We managed to settle nicely behind the pace and he relaxed, then finished really well.

“I would like to thank the connections for putting me on a really good horse.”

It was the first time De Souza has ridden Fortune Rising who won two races in Sydney as a juvenile. He was also placed in two other races including a third in the Group 2 Todman Stakes at Randwick and contested the Golden Slipper.

But after five unplaced runs at three, he was sold for A$105,000 at an online sale.

Fortune Rising won his first two runs for trainer Richard Lim and after his transfer to HY Cheng, came out from a 3-1/2-month layoff to give apprentice Lim Weng Hooi his first win two weeks ago.

Fright was the first to break and set the pace.

Fortune Tree, from his wide barrier (9) gradually worked his way to the front to settle in second spot, ahead of Koondakaara and Joyee Go with Jinling Starblitz well back of the field.

Fright led into the straight from Fortune Rising, Koondakaara, Pacific Sky and Jinling Starblitz.

Fortune Rising ranged alongside Fright at the 200m and drew away to win by 1-1/4 lengths with Jinling Starblitz flashing home to take second placing.

“He is a good horse, has lots of potential but 1300m is about the longest he can go,” said Cheng.