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We may be eight months away from Christmas, but its spirit of giving and renewed faith was certainly felt at Kranji after Race 3 on Friday night.
This was when the horse bearing its namesake scored a feelgood victory for apprentice jockey Pregasam Dellorto and his new master cum saviour Stephen Gray.
The Malaysian rookie’s riding career had been in limbo since his former mentor Sam Chua ceased training on March 5 on bankruptcy grounds. Left jobless and staring down the barrel of a very uncertain future, Dellorto went knocking on many doors in search of another master without success before Gray finally agreed to give him a chance.
The Kiwi trainer, however, admitted to thinking twice about taking Dellorto under his wings, especially as he already had two apprentice jockeys on his roster. His haul of 10 wins in three years (2012 to 2014) was not all that flash either, but Gray also heard some low-down about him coming with some baggage, unfounded or not.
Gray, who has always had a bit of time for local apprentice jockeys and championed for their cause, listened to his gut feel instead - and his good heart.
That leap of faith was paid manifold in the best possible way in the $60,000 Class 4 race over 1700m on Friday – at only the second horse he had given the ex-Chua apprentice a leg-up. Coming from last, the Rusty Spur six-year-old ($46) who was second-up from a eight-month spell, flashed home on the outside to pip Super Joe (Nooresh Juglall) by one-quarter length to give the new boss-apprentice an early Christmas present - the only one as Christmas was both Gray's and Dellorto's only starter for the night.
Knowing he had taken a huge gamble on the 28-year-old rider, a delighted Gray felt a great sense of vindication as he welcomed the Kuala Lumpur-born jockey back to the winner’s enclosure, which he also hoped would not be the last time.
“He came pleading for a job. He was not getting paid and I felt sorry for him,” said Gray.
“I knew he had been going around looking for a job, but got knocked back. The Stewards told me to give him a chance, but I already had two apprentices (Ruzaili Yatim and Azhar).
“But at the same time, Smiley (Ruzaili) is going to South Africa to continue his apprenticeship there soon and it’s worked out good. I watched his videos and thought this kid could ride and if he is given the opportunities, he should be right.
“He is strong and can claim three kilos, but I was also impressed with how hard he works and how he listens to what I tell him.
“I think he has the ability and the talent, but I did give him a few kicks up the arse and shut his mouth a few times too, just to straighten him up.
“He rode Christmas very well tonight. As he was back from a big spell after some joint issues, I told him to just ride him quiet and let him run home late.
“He did exactly that. They came out at the right time and they got there right on the line.
“I’m very happy for Dellorto. We told him that was his final chance, not that I am God or anything, but he deserved it and he’s grabbed it. Good on him.”
The Perth-trained Dellorto, whose quirky carburettor name was given by his mechanic father, certainly felt like a souped-up engine given a second lease of life after that memorable success.
“I would like to thank Mr Gray for taking me with him. It’s been nearly four months I have been jobless,” said the grateful rider whose last win came with Good Score for Chua on July 18, 2014.
“He gave me a trial and wanted to see if my fitness was good and this is my second ride for him.
“The horse was travelling well at the back. I wanted to go to the inside in the straight but it was crowded there and I switched him to the outside instead.
“I’m very happy I’ve finally won a race, but more importantly, I now have a job and can continue riding for a living.”