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Placed just once in seven runs as a juvenile in New Zealand, KHAYYAM (late Cherokee Warrior) is proving his worth in a start-stop-start campaign thus far in Malaysia.

The Showcasing gelding quickly showed his potential winning his first two starts in the country in Open Maiden and Class 4 late last year, followed by a third placing in a Max Two event.

Khayyam  was then out of action for more than seven months before he reappeared with a first-up third in Class 3 last month.

With the run under his belt and the benefit of a short break since, KHAYYAM was installed a short-priced favourite (RM7) in the Supreme C event over 1175m at Sungei Besi here today.

Ridden for the first time by Lim Kar Ping, KHAYYAM was the first to break but HAPPY THIRTYNINE on the rails quickly took up the running and Lim was happy to ease his mount to settle in second place.

ELITE WATERGHOST then moved up to take on HAPPY THIRTYNINE and they led into the straight from KHAYAAM.

Once Lim eased him out from behind the two front runners, KHAYAAM quickly swept past them ease in final 200m to win as he liked by three and a quarter lengths.

"I was instructed to lead in the race but HAPPY THIRTYNINE was too speedy so I was happy to sit back," said Lim. "I was confident all the way that we would win. This horse can go far."

"KHAYYAM is a progressive and honest horse," said trainer AB Abdullah. "He is still young and will progress through the class."

KHAYYAM was his second winner of the day, having saddled META HILTON to victory earlier in the day.

All races today were run on the No. 2 track.