Apprentice Syafifie Zailuddin was on fire at Sungai Besi today when he booted home a career-best five winners including Hasten who inflicted the first defeat on hitherto unbeaten Fright in the Class 3 – 1020m sprint on the No. 2 track.

Both horses were up in class.

Fright followed up his double in Class 4 with a runaway win in a Max Two race three weeks ago and was backed down to odds-on today.

Hasten  also had an easy win in Class 4 two weeks ago – his third win in 12 starts in the country after crossing over from Singapore with two victories at Kranji.

But the son of Hellbent was unfancied in the betting and started at long odds (RM203).

Fright, normally a brilliant beginner, began only moderately but quickly made his way to the front under his regularly rider Khaw Choon Kit.

Stop The Water joined him at the 800m and they led from Billy Elliot with Hasten, Bintang Sixty-One and Dancing Light.

Stop The Water  headed Fright momentarily soon after but Fright quickly regained control and led into the straight clear of Stop The Water. Billy Elliot was next followed by Hasten who was nicely tucked on the rails.

Fright pulled away to lead by two lengths from Billy Elliot at the 200m with Hasten looking for a run on the rails. Stop The Water came under pressure soon after entering the straight.

Billy Elliot closed the gap to be half a length from Fright at the 100m. But on the rails Hasten was just starting to quicken and soon it was three in a line. In the tussle to the post Hasten finished best to win by half a length from Fright with a similar distance to Billy Elliot.

"The boy (Zyafifie) rode nice race," said trainer Richard Lines.

"The horse is obviously in good form after his last start win and we gave him a chance with the light weight (53kg compared with Fright's 59kg)."

Asked if he thought the horse could go up to a higher class, Lines said: "Winning form is good form and we will take it one race at a time."

"He (Hasten) jumped well but could not match the early pace of the other horses (in front)," said Syafifie. "So I saved him up for a challenge in the straight."

Ipoh-based Syafifie, who is identured to Kevin Coetzee, first struck on Singha Bay for trainer Wayne Lim in the Class 4B – 1150m sprint, also on the No. 2 track.

Following his win on Hasten, he teamed up with Lines again to produce another upset win on Kim Emperor (RM128).

He went on to win on Sousui for trainer Frank Maynard and Radetzky Marsch for Sharee Hamilton.

The five-timer brings Syafifie's tally to 18 for the season, 11 adrift of leading apprentice Jerlyn Seow on 29 wins.

"I was confident of riding two winners today but five was totally unexpected. Still I am grateful for the results," said Syafifie.

"I shall strive to improve my riding and win more races."