As a two-year-old the colt raced in Tasmania, where his name was Bagot. He won on three different tracks, but was then sold on the mainland for 500 guineas to J. O. Inglis, who changed the colt's name to Malua. In 1884, Malua won the
Newmarket Handicap () and Oakleigh Plate () carrying . Malua's jockey set a precedent when he took him to the outside (grandstand side) rail to win the Newmarket, a tactic not used before. The term "Malua's track" was coined to name that portion of the
Flemington Racecourse. After a trip to
Sydney, where he won the Spring Stakes, Malua returned to
Melbourne for the 1884
Caulfield Cup, in which he carried . He was not placed but finished strongly and convinced his connections to run him in the Melbourne Cup. He won the
Melbourne Stakes and became favourite for the big race. Carrying , Malua fought out the finish with Commotion (9 st 12 lb) to win by half a length. Two days later he won the six-furlong weight-for-age Flying Stakes on Oaks Day. Malua had a marvellous constitution and in 1886 carried 9st 9 lb to win the
Australian Cup. In 1888 he was switched to jumping, not so unusual in those days and he won the VRC Grand National Hurdle, ridden by his owner, J. O.Inglis. Malua continued racing combining it with his stud career until 1889. ==Stud record==