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Apprentice jockey Noh Senari was greeted to his usual rapturous reception after he saluted for the first time this season on Sunday.
The talented jockey, who has always had a huge fan base at Kranji, made a successful comeback last year with three winners (all for his new master Saimee Jumaat) after a three-year hiatus, and was delighted he made one of his only two rides for the day count – Ohyioh.
After giving a glimpse of his potential when second to Howl at his debut in a Maiden race over 1200m, the $25 chance franked that form with a decisive win in the $85,000 Novice race over 1200m.
The O’Reilly four-year-old incidentally bucked the winning trend for frontrunners all day (first four winners all led). He was the first to come from a handy spot to collar debutant Key Success (Craig Grylls) at the 200m mark before drawing clear for an imposing 1 ½-length win.
Key Success, who was sent out at $101, will doubtfully start at such generous odds next time out after he gamely held on for second place, one length clear of Claudia’s Beauty (Ryan Curatolo).
Trained by Saimee, who was not at the racecourse on Sunday, Ohyioh recorded the winning time of 1min 13.4secs for the 1200m on Polytrack.
“This horse did very well at his first run, even from a bad draw. I was more worried about getting him balanced,” said Noh.
“He did run on very well but unfortunately, he found one better (Howl). Today, I did the same with him, I wanted to get him balanced.
“I was worried about No 11 (Wooden Heart) and No 6 (Chocante), but my horse responded very well to my riding to win.”
If Noh had rear view mirrors, he would at least eliminate one of his main threats. Debut winner Wooden Heart, who was sent out as the $13 favourite, bombed his start when he reared and lost at least three lengths before catching up along the fence to settle in midfield
But that early effort took its toll as he clearly had nothing left in the tank in the straight as he weakened to seventh place for a race that is probably better overlooked.