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Singapore champion apprentice jockey A’Isisuhairi Kasim has had to endure a long run of outs before finally notching his first 2014 win on Sunday.
The young Malaysian was head and shoulders above his peers in last year’s apprentice log by breaking a new record for apprentice jockey wins on 73 wins, a mark he hit on November 15, 2013 with Sir Fleetwood, a whopping 46 winners clear of next best Tengku Rehaizat.
But oddly enough, that was also to be the last time the New Zealand-trained apprentice jockey had saluted at Kranji. It had no bearing on him clinching his first champion title as it had been a foregone conclusion from a long way out, but the long dry spell did sap his confidence.
In 22 rides this new term, A’Isisuhairi had no win on the board, and tellingly, only two placings to show for, sure telltale statistics about his slump in form.
But A’Isisuhairi or “Harry” as he is popularly known here, took a first step towards regaining that confidence and old swagger, when he successfully drove odd-on debuting favourite Usain Colt home in the $65,000 Restricted Maiden race (1200m) on Polytrack.
The race did not quite pan out his way in the initial stages, though. Breaking from the outermost alley in the 12-horse field, the Encosta De Lago three-year-old jumped smartly, but was caught four deep in the early speed battle as Dragon Walk (Danny Beasley), Washington Bay (Alan Munro) and Astroheat (Mohd Zaki) went hammer and tongue three abreast from the back to the point of turn.
A’Isisuhairi showed he had lost none of his judgement as he allowed his mount a breather before asking the question at the top of the straight as two of the joint-leaders dropped off leaving Washington Bay as the only horse to beat.
The punters’ elect, however, proved worthy of the support he had garnered as he whittled down the margin before drawing clear for a 1 ¼-length win from Washington Bay with Cogito Ergo Sum (Lisa Allpress) running on late for third another 2 ¾ lengths away. The winning time was 1min 12.25secs.
A’Isisuhairi wore a huge grin of relief as he weighed back in at an area he had not visited for nearly two months, but neither was he getting too cocky about the path lying ahead.
“I knew things would be tougher after I lost my claim to one kilo at the end of last season,” he said.
“I was struggling to get rides and as a result I was losing my winning momentum. There was nothing I could do and I knew this year would be even tougher.
“Just last Friday, I had only one ride (Casino King) and it wasn’t by choice as I was chasing rides, but I guess they don’t chase me anymore when I don’t claim four or three kilos anymore.
“I was starting to ask myself how come no winners, because I was working just as hard and my riding was the same.
“But I didn’t throw in the towel. I knew I just had to get on the right horses and I had to be patient.
“My boss (Steven Burridge) spoke to me and told me things will be all right once I get on the right horses.”
The Australian handler certainly walked the talk by throwing in one heck of a promising horse under him on Sunday, and A’Isisuhairi did not let him down either.
“He’s a lovely horse with a bright future,” said A’Isisuhairi who rode Usain Colt to third in a barrier trial last December.
“It’s always better when you get to sit on something like this. It makes things easier for us.
“The horses on the inside were pushing forward and I was caught wide early, but they didn’t have much underneath them in the home straight.
“I gave him a few and he found the line quite strongly.”
Welcoming his second winner after Sweet Lodge saluted on January 5, Burridge was rapt for A’Isisuhairi’s first winning ride for 2014, but also for the connections of the winner, the Premier Racing Stable, who obtained this new ward through a deal brokered between Newgate Farm and Burridge’s son Wade.
“He’s quite a dear horse and I’m glad he’s won as he’s had a few issues. He went shinsore and had a cold two weeks ago,” said Burridge.
“I had to sort of drop off him and I was also worried when he drew the outside today. But I thought he was fit enough to have his first race.
“He didn’t have much luck early, but it wasn’t Harry’s fault. All things considered, he’s done a great job in the end.
“He’s definitely got the pedigree as he’s by Encosta De Lago and is out of a mare who has produced Group 1 winners, Valourina.
“I will see how he pulls up and see what is available for him. I’d like to thank all my staff who have been working hard all week while I was away.”