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A little bit of dressing-down can do no harm as Zawari Razali would testify to after Indian Jade sliced through the field to bounce back to winning ways on Sunday.
Indian Jade’s trainer Mark Walker gave the Malaysian apprentice jockey a piece of his mind after a ride he qualified as ordinary aboard Q Nine Maxim in an earlier race.
While Zawari humbly did his mea culpa, the reprimand from the Kiwi trainer turned into a pep talk for the Brian Dean apprentice. Probably keen to make amends for such a howler, at least from Walker’s point of view, the Kelantan native went on to execute the perfect ride aboard Indian Jade in the $100,000 Dubai Racing Club Trophy (1200m), showing plenty of gumption halfway up the home straight to take a narrow gap on the outside of hot favourite Famous Artist (Manoel Nunes) before exploding away to a most unexpected win.
Moving to Walker from Michael Freedman after a bleeding attack, Indian Jade ($50) has not taken too long to showcase his true potential for his new handler, who was evidently delighted with the gelding’s positive response to his training.
“We haven’t had him very long. He came to us after a bleeding attack and we’ve had him for three runs,” said Walker.
“It’s great to see such horses find their form again. He’s also a great horse around the stable, and everybody loves him.
“On paper, Famous Artist was hard to beat, but racing is a funny old game. I still had to go out there with a plan and it’s paid off.
“I actually told the kid he didn’t ride well at his previous ride for me (Q Nine Maxim) and I think that telling off paid off. He was able to redeem himself straight away.”
Zawari put his hand up to the reproachable ride aboard Q Nine Maxim, but said as apprentices, they need to be given a few reminders when necessary so they can get right back on track.
“Mr Walker was right to scold me. I was wrong and I’m glad I rode a winner for him later,” said Zawari.
“I’d like to thank Mr Walker and the owners for supporting me. This horse was always travelling relaxed behind the speed for me, but he did get tight for room at the 300m.
“I was lucky when Nunes’ horse (Famous Artist) hung in, as I then got a chance to go through a gap, and the horse quickened very well in the last bit.”
While it was redemption time for Zawari, it was disbelief written all over Nunes' face, with the Brazilian at a loss to explain the disappointing run from the Desmond Koh-trained Famous Artist even though he was resuming from a short let-up. The Excellent Art four-year-old worked into the race quite well but weakened to beat two home for his first unplaced run in five starts.
“I was very disappointed with his run. He had every chance but just had nothing in the tank when I asked him,” said Nunes.
“I think he may be better over 1000m and 1100m on the Polytrack. I will have to discuss with Des.”
Indian Jade, an English-bred five-year-old by Sleeping Indian, has now brought his overall racing record to six wins and eight placings from 24 starts, with four of those wins recorded in Singapore from 16 starts for local stakes earnings close to $300,000 for the Lucky Stable.