Leading Malaysian jockey Azhar Ismail did not head home empty-handed after he scored a hard-fought win aboard Divine Power in the $65,000 Que Expresion 2003 Stakes (1400m) on Sunday.

The seven-time champion jockey crossed the Causeway for a rare visit down South mainly to partner the former Malaysian-based Speed Baby in last Friday's Group 2 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m), but also accepted other rides over the weekend. Last year, the 47-year-old cemented his reputation as a big-race jockey by landing his only two Singapore wins in the QEII Cup on Fatkid and the Group 1 Patron's Bowl (1600m) with the same Speed Baby two months later.

Although Azhar did not enjoy the same luck this year with Speed Baby, who only finished fifth to Waikato in the QEII Cup, he was able to make his trip count on Sunday with the Steven Burridge-trained Divine Power, never mind if it was registered in a humble race for Restricted Maidens (2&3YO).

​Racing handy behind Coup Da Vinci (Joao Moreira) from the start, the Stromberg Carlsson three-year-old looked a realistic winning chance when he snuck up on the inside rails at the top of the straight. But Coup Da Vinci kept plugging away manfully and at the 150m, it looked like Azhar's vigorous efforts would not be rewarded.

Divine Power ($81), whose form in three previous runs this campaign had been rather poor, however kept chipping away and 50m from home finally levelled up with the leader before forging ahead to post a three-quarter-length victory from Coup Da Vinci, who must be credited with a much improved effort as well.

The $11 favourite Positive Thinking (Barend Vorster) had every chance but did not quite quicken when called upon to settle for third another 1 ½ lengths away, incidentally failing to give his owner Fred Crabbia a token win in the race named after his former top miler.

“It's nice to be back a winner in Singapore. I came here to ride Speed Baby and I thought I might as well ride on Sunday as well,” said Azhar.

“I had to work really hard on this horse (Divine Power), though. It certainly helped pay for the trip.

“Steve told me as he's pretty average and a one-pacer to ride him more positive, and hopefully he can have a last crack at them in the home straight.

“We had a good position throughout but he was a little 'on and off' in the straight. I had to ride him really hard in the last bit before he overtook the leader.”

Talking about Speed Baby's race in the QEII Cup, Azhar said the Fastnet Rock five-year-old felt a bit “different” this prep and may be facing an even stiffer task in three weeks' time.

“He felt like a different horse this year. He was not on the bit most of the time,” he said.

“He did run on in the end and I hope this race would have switched him on. But the SIA Cup will be even tougher as the pace will be even stronger than Friday, but we'll see.

“Steve will make the decision and hopefully I get to ride him next month.”

Burridge will cross that bridge when he reaches it but was definitely nodding in approval as far as Azhar's ride on Divine Power was concerned. He was however not getting too excited about the winner, but still praised his never-say-die attitude inside the last 100m.

“He's a very average horse and he's been trialling very ordinarily,” said the Australian. “We put the blinkers on as he's a bit of a one-pacer.

“But he did run a good second (to Tangible Assets) four runs back and I told Azhar to just be aggressive on him today and see how he goes.

“At one stage, he looked like he was never going to get the other thing (Coup Da Vinci) but he kept whacking away and did a good job to get up on the line.

“Azhar came down to ride Speed Baby and as this horse needs an aggressive rider, I thought I'd put him on. We've had a bit of luck together over the years and it's good to see him ride another winner for us.”

An A$51,000 purchase as a two-year-old, Divine Power has now edged closer to recouping his investment price for the Rudy & Divina Stable with that maiden win which has propelled his earnings to the $50,000 mark.