Popular sprinter Huka Falls bounced back to winning ways after emerging a narrow victor from a ding-dong battle with favourite Pioneer Seven on Sunday.

The strapping chestnut by Align had not greeted the judge since August 23, 2013 when he just held on from Rapido Star in a 1100m race over Polytrack. Trainer Laurie Laxon has subsequently saddled him up for another five outings without much success, even fitting him up with blinkers and a visor at his last couple of starts in a bid to change up his routine,

Laxon was, however, never deflated by Huka Falls’ runs, given he was never beaten that far behind, and was confident his class would shine through again. His faith was repaid on Sunday in the $95,000 Open Benchmark 97 race over 1100m when Huka Falls with jockey Corey Brown up, showed his trademark bulldog courage to outbob Pioneer Seven by a head.

Jumping smartly from his outside barrier, Huka Falls ($27) was eased onto the rails by Brown down the back before controlling the pace from the front with Pioneer Seven (Manoel Nunes) in close attendance and Touch Of Gold (Saifudin Ismail) next in line.

Turning for home, Huka Falls started to lengthen up as Brown slipped more reins, but Pioneer Seven was not going to be so easy to shake off as he ranged up ominously on the outside under Nunes’ urgings.

The two gallopers settled down for a good go while El Padrino (Oscar Chavez), who was resuming from a seven-month spell, was also making stacks of ground down the middle. For a second, it looked like the punters’ elect would have the edge on the outside, but the big chestnut stuck his neck out and prevailed to Laxon’s delight.

“He’s always worked good and never lost his form. He was 10kg up today, but otherwise, he looked in good condition,” said the eight-time Singapore champion trainer.

“He was able to dictate terms and fought out the finish. The post came up on time and it was a game win.

“He’s scored 10 wins and never missed a beat. No, can’t complain, he’s been a gem of a horse to me.

“He can handle both Polytrack and turf, though I think he’s more of a Polytrack horse because of the weather. He doesn’t quite like the wet.

“I may back him up in a Kranji Stakes A race (1200m) next week. Long term, I will obviously look at the KrisFlyer International Sprint and the Lion City Cup.”

The Group 1 Lion City Cup (1200m) will be run on April 27 while the International Group 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint will be held on May 18.

Brown said he went into the race like he was on the best horse in the field and was happy with the result and had been fairly confident he had got the money on the line.

“I knew it was very close, but I was quietly confident I won on the line,” said the Australian jockey who was at only his second association with Huka Falls.

“It’s been a bit frustrating for me in the last couple of weeks with many close seconds. It was good to get this one.

“This horse has had plenty of racing under his belt as he’s had two preparations. Some people were doubting him a bit, but I knew he still had the ability.

“Today, he showed his courage and fully deserved the win.”

Huka Falls has now recorded 10 wins and four placings for stakes earnings in excess of $600,000 for the Silver Fern/Gillovic Stable.