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Leading Malaysian jockey Azhar Ismail made his only ride at Kranji on Sunday count by steering the Mok Zhan Lun-trained Spring Thunder to a gritty maiden victory in the $65,000 Restricted Maiden race over 1400m on turf.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
Malaysia’s seven-time champion jockey was actually booked for another solitary ride on Friday, Northern Cat for the same trainer, but did not get a chance to sit on him after the meeting was cancelled due to haze.
Azhar said it could have been two-from-two, but was more than content with keeping the same 100% strike rate with only one ride, cementing further the status of Kranji as a happy hunting ground for the 49-year-old jockey whenever he packs his boots that way, even if it is for only a handful of rides.
“I was told the Friday ride had a good chance too. It could have been two from two, but I’ll take the one win,” said Azhar, who unlike some of his more regular Kranji-visiting Malaysian peers, only commutes down South around two or three times a year.
“I rode this horse (Spring Thunder) the last time I was here and I told Mok I would like to ride him again and that’s why I came down again.
“Last time, he was drawn wide and still ran a nice fourth. With his inside draw (four) today, I was more confident.
“He sat handy early and in the straight, he just kept hittng the line very well. Nice horse.”
Azhar’s fans on this side of the Causeway will be pleased to know they may still see their idol a little longer.
“I’ll go back to Kuala Lumpur, but I may come back for next Friday’s meeting if I get a ride,” he said.
Following Azhar’s faultless display on Spring Thunder on Sunday, Mok will probably be among the Kranji trainers to give him a call-up next week.
“Azhar liked him at his last ride on SIA Cup night. We stuck with him as he wanted to ride him again, and he got it right today,” said Mok referring to the US-bred three-year-old colt’s last start in a similar Restricted Maiden 1400m race, when a closing fourth to Danger Zone.
“He’s been a bit hot-headed since he came to us. He fly-jumped at the start and was overracing.
“That’s why we put the shadow roll on him today, and it seems to have worked. But I think he’s still green and still has a lot to learn.
“He looked a bit lost when he hit the front today, but Azhar kept riding him to the line and he held on very well.
“(US bloodstock agent) Melvin Ezekiel is the one who sold this horse to the owners (Spring Racing Stable). He told us the dam has now produced seven winners from eight foals, including two stakes winners.”
Spring Thunder ($21), a son of 2007 Godolphin Mile winner Spring At Last, who was never further than two lengths from the leading pair of Callide River (A’Isisuhairi Kasim) and Mal's Dad (Danny Beasley), charged through the pack to hit the lead at the 300m, but had to dig deep to repel the fighting comeback of Mal’s Dad on the rails, in the end hanging on by a mere head.
Right behind the pair, Morris (Joao Moreira) was steaming home as well, but somehow looked a touch reluctant to see it out, finishing third another half-a-length away. The winning time was 1min 24.05secs.