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Last year's runner-up trainer Leslie Khoo drew two wins clear early in this season's Singapore trainer's premiership after he saddled a double on Friday night.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
Going into the meeting tied on number of wins (12) with Laurie Laxon and Michael Freedman, Khoo found himself on top of the heap thanks to Money Bee and Bring More Money.
Khoo said it was nice to sit atop (on 14 winners) but knows his time breathing rarefied air may not be long-lasting with the big guns right up on his heels.
“It's always nice to be on top but it's only February and it'll be hard to hold off the others,” said Khoo.
“My job is to train winners and to keep my owners happy. Being on top is just a bonus.
“I had some pretty good chances tonight and with two winners I can't complain.”
Both winners had to however dig deep to cross the line a winner in their respective races
While $11 favourite Money Bee (Shafiq Rizuan) could only get the upperhand at the very last stride to nose out Caution in the $35,000 Maple Leaf Stakes, a Class 5 Division 1 race over 1400m, Bring More Money (Mark Ewe) also had to battle hard to shake off a stinging challenge from Emblessed (Ivaldo Santana) on his inside in the $65,000 Manulife Cup, a Restricted Maiden (2 & 3YO) race over 1200m, but drew clear in the end to win by a comfortable margin of 1 ¼ lengths.
“Bring More Money showed potential first-up and has really improved from that first run,” said Khoo.
“He's only a three-year-old and still very green but the more Mark rode him hard, the more he kept hitting the line.”
The former champion apprentice, who has found competition much harder since he came out of his time, said he rode the Saxon three-year-old handy because of the underfoot conditions.
“As the track was wet, I didn't want to be too far behind,” said the Penang-born jockey. “In the straight, I stayed off the rails as I felt it was the better part of the track.
“I was meant to ride him at his debut but I was stood down as I fell sick. I won on him in a barrier trial and I knew he had ability.
“Leslie has prepared him very well for his second race.”
Bring More Money ($17) is raced by the Good Brothers Stable and cost A$32,000 as a yearling.
Short-priced favourite Sebastien, who was at his debut, flopped badly to beat one home - and compound the misery of leading jockey Joao Moreira, who to this point had yet to get on board - a rarity these days.