Guru Fight picked up his third win in his last four starts with a come-from-behind victory in the Visit Malaysia – Perak – Kuala Woh Recreational Forest Stakes (Class 4A – 1800m) at Sungai Besi here today.

Since ending a series of five minor placings when he broke through for a runaway win in a Class 5A handicap over 1700m in December, the Kermadec galloper has been on the upgrade.

The four-year-old defied a promotion to score again over 1600m on Jan 11 and two weeks later, found one to beat in Banker’s Empress over the same trip.

But Guru Fight was not to be denied today.

Zed Or Alive was brilliantly away and immediately set out to lead the field, well clear of Imperial Wave with a gap to Banker’s Hero, Banker’s Champion and Saint Tropez. The favourite Gum Khor and Guru Fight were next in midfield, seven lengths off the lead.

Zed Or Alive continued to set a sizzling pace and opened up a four-length lead from Imperial Wave at the 800m. A similiar gap away came Banker’s Champion who was moving nicely forward but shortly after, the horse took a stumble and dislodged his rider Nuqman Faris Rozi.

Zed Or Alive was five lengths clear of Imperial Wave coming to the 400m. Guru Fight had moved up to third on the inside of Gum Khor and Saint Tropez.

Zed Or Alive was still nicely clear of Imperial Wave at the 200m. That’s when Kaiden Brewer switched Guru Fight from the rails and immediately began to chase down the leader.

Guru Fight collared Zed Or Alive at 80m out, then raced away to win by 2-1/2 lengths. Imperial Wave held on for third.

“He (Guru Fight) seems to be getting better the further the distances,” said trainer Simon Dunderdale. It was Guru Fight’s first attempt beyond the ‘mile’.

“The race didn’t work out quite as I expected because he was a little slow into stride,” said Brewer.

“But the longer distance actually helped him quite a lot. Once I got into the straight he gave me a nice finish and won well.”

Dunderdale and Brewer teamed up again later to pick up another win on odds-on favourite Artois in the Visit Malaysia – Perak- Ipoh Limestone Hills and Caves Stakes (Open Maiden – 1200m).

Placed in nine of his 13 starts in New South Wales without winning, the Capitalist galloper settled nicely behind the pace, sticking to the rails all the way. He then received a dream opening on the rails in the straight and went on to win by 1-1/2 lengths from the fast-finishing Midori Sunrise.