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A last-minute change of rider did not stop AWESOME STORM from getting back into the winner’s circle in the Metro A event over 1200m at Sungei Besi here today.

With nominated rider Tuan Ammar indisposed, fellow apprentice Fikri Ismail was charged with the ride on the odds-on favourite.

Fikri has never ridden the Phenomonons five-year-old but any doubt on the young lad handling the champion sprinter was laid to rest as soon as the field jumped.

Awesome Storm  was the first to break and had a clear lead from the start. Thereafter he led his rivals on a merry chase, romping home by 5 1/4 lengths in the set-weight event. It was the gelding's eighth win in 12 starts in Malaysia.

Awesome Storm, who won once in five starts in Australia, was unbeaten in his first six starts, culminating with his runaway win (by 8 1/2 lengths) in the Tunku Gold Cup (1200m) in April last year. 

Since then, there have been two uncharacteristically disappointing runs but like a good horse he is, Awesome Storm  has bounced back. 

Fikri, as expected, was grateful for the opportunity to ride the top sprinter. "The horse was impressive and I am happy for the ride," he said.

"Awesome Storm is back winning in style," said trainer Simon Dunderdale. "Fikri rode him very well especially as he had never sat on him before."