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Apprentice A’Isisuhairi Kasim broke through for his first Singapore victory when he took out the $55,000 Class 4 Stakes over 1800m on the Polytrack on Sunday.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
Riding the Steven Burridge-trained Kobe Top Gun, A’Isisuhairi guided him to a two-and-three-quarter length victory over Street Legal (Zuriman Zulkifli) with Ktronic (Davy Bonilla) a length-and-a-half away third.
The 27 year-old had plied his trade in New Zealand and Australia, riding under the name of Harry Kasim, before moving to Singapore in August.
He had six-and-a-half years down south where he was apprenticed to Melbourne Cup winning trainer Michael Moroney, riding 82 winners in New Zealand and one victory at Flemington in three years before his move.
Now apprenticed to Burridge, A’Isisuhairi was getting “frustrated” having to sit on the sidelines while the “paperwork” was sorted out.
Commencing riding a couple of weeks ago, A’Isisuhairi was having his 13th race ride when he was legged aboard Kobe Top Gun.
A’Isisuhairi had Kobe Top Gun positioned midfield early in the race that was run in heavy rain but gradually improved his position to be in fourth spot by the time the hometurn was reached.
Driving Kobe Top Gun to lead on straightening, A’Isisuhairi kept riding hard to land that important first victory in Singapore.
“I was getting frustrated having to stand out of race-riding for so long,” said A’Isisuhairi.
“I finished riding in Australia on August 11 when I won at Flemington and I only started riding here a couple of weeks ago.
“When I hadn’t ridden a winner prior to this race I was confident this horse would get me that winner.
“I knew this horse was fit and a good stayer and once I got him to the outside I knew he would win.”
Burridge said it was “good for the kid” for him to finally get that first winner under his belt.
“He’s been up here for three or three-and-a-half months and was getting frustrated,” said Burridge.
“He needed to get a winner and today he found the right horse. He gave it a good ride and the result was there to be seen.
“He rides well and I think he’s got a pretty good future here.”
Kobe Top Gun is a five-year-old Japanese-bred gelding by Tap Dance City from the Alydar mare Oak Alydar and landed his fifth win from 37 starts, taking his prizemoney past the $200,000 mark for owners Hippocrates Stable.