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Troy See rode his first winner back from a lengthy suspension on Friday night.
The Singaporean apprentice jockey only returned to race-riding last month after serving two consecutive suspensions of one month (grabbing a whip from a fellow rider in a barrier trial) and three months (misconduct at the weighing-in for changing surcingles).
After coming close a few times, See finally broke through with Nova Ranger ($44) in the $35,000 Class 5 race over 1100m.
By coincidence, the last-gasp win handed trainer Leslie Khoo a much-needed thirst-quencher too as he had not saddled a winner since Kubera’s Chief on May 21. See’s last winner was Southern Man for his master John O’Hara on March 31.
“It’s fantastic to get a win again,” said See who was at his fifth win for the year.
“It was tough being on the sidelines for so long, but everybody’s got a job to do. It was really tough to get back, especially the fitness part.
“I won’t be embarrassed to say this but I lost a few races in the past month because I wasn’t fit enough. But I’m very proud to say I’m 100% now and am really thankful to the owners and trainers who stuck by me since I came back.
“And also to my lovely wife who has been so encouraging throughout my suspension.”
See also commended his comeback winner for his gutsy effort, even though it is unlikely he will get a leg-up on him again
“This horse weighs only 400kg, he’s no world-beater but he gave his all tonight,” he said.
“It’s his last run before he goes off to Malaysia, so I guess all the stars have aligned for him tonight to bow out a winner.”
Khoo for one was glad the farewell win from the Coats Choice five-year-old had come at a most opportune time.
“Things have been quiet for not just Troy, but me, too! He was suspended for four months, I haven’t had a winner for four months!” said the amiable trainer.
“A lot of horses have changed stables and that upset the programme, but I have a couple of new horses and things can only get better from now on.
“I gave Nova Ranger a chance tonight. He’s a very small horse and got too keen at his last start and I told Troy to let him relax, sit for as long as he can and come from the back.”
Raced by the Nova Racing Stable, Nova Ranger was bringing up his second win from 16 starts for stakes earnings edging close to the $50,000 mark. He defeated Jacks Secret (Zawari Razali) by a head with Pomp (Benny Woodworth) third another three parts of a length away.
The winning time was 1min 5.55secs for the 1100m on the Polytrack.
