Mahadi Taib might have waited for months for his work permit to come through but it was instant success for the Singaporean trainer when he was finally able to send out his first runner in Malaysia.

Genrich, ridden by Lim Shung Uai, came from just off the pace to win drawing away by 1-3/4 lengths in Class 5A sprint over 1020m on the No 2 track at Sungai Besi today.

The Australian gelding was purchased for just A$2,000 at an online sale and had two runs for Mahadi in Singapore in 2023.

The son of Your Song then went off the grid long before racing at Kranji closed down last October.

Genrich was one of the horses Mahadi brought to Malaysia when he relocated here. But with the work permit hold-up, the horse made four appearances under the care of Ooi Chin Chin, finishing fourth twice.

Genrich was back with Mahadi for the trainer’s first meeting in Malaysia today. The horse was his one and only runner for the double-header weekend.

Lim settled Genrich nicely fourth with Banker’sseventytwo setting a brisk pace from Give Me Five and the favourite Sacred Order.

Genrich moved up swiftly to second spot making the turn into the straight. He raced up to Banker’sseventytwo at the 300m but was finally able to race past the pacemaker 100m out to win drawing away. Banker’sseventytwo held on for second.

“I am happy to get my first win with my first runner,” said Mahadi who started out as a syce with Buang Abu Bakar at the age of 17. He then worked under various other trainers before finally getting his A licence in 2022.

“I am especially happy because this horse (Genrich) had tendon issues and could not race for so long.

“The work permit took quite some time but I would like to thank the Selangor Turf Club helping me through.”

“Mahadi told me to ride patiently. I could see that the pace was very fast so I only made my move passing the 600m,” said Lim who rode Genrich in his most recent two runs.

“I rode him in a trial recently. He won his trial so I was quite confident of a win today.”