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The two “Steves” of Kranji shared the limelight in equal measures on Sunday when the Steven Burridge-trained Lim’s Pershing and the Stephen Gray-trained Little Master dead-heated in the $35,000 Stepitup 2015 Stakes.

While Lim’s Pershing (Derrect David) was sent out as the $17 second favourite in the Open Maiden Division 2 race over 1200m on the back of his improved effort at his last start, only a few brave ones had thrown their hard-earned on Little Master (Amirul Ismadi, $282) who was at his debut and had not really sent pulses racing at his barrier trials.

They pair may have been poles apart in the market, at the winning post, they could not be split by the judge.

Homeward-bound, Lim’s Pershing was the one being hailed the outright winner when he came collaring race-leader Eastiger (Manoel Nunes) 300m out with a bold run, but was somehow unable to draw clear while Little Master was closing in late between runners, lunging at the post right at the death.

The winning time was 1min 11.82secs for the 1200m on the Long Course.

The two trainers and their respective connections, the Lim’s Stable (who also has horses with Gray, including Lim’s Cruiser, a runner in the Raffles Cup later) and Mr Hong Ying Kwee of Super Easy fame, warmly congratulated each other at the winner’s circle, but obviously in slightly contrasting moods given the disparity in odds and expectations.

“He’s been pretty unlucky but he did a good job today,” said Burridge of Lim’s Pershing, a Pins four-year-old who showed marked improvement at his third start when seventh to Dutrow after overcoming an awkward jump.

“He is a big gawky thing and still has a fair bit to go.”

Gray was a touch more ebullient at the usual post-race media debrief, even if he had not really been all prepped up to head down to the winner’s enclosure from his box upstairs.

“He’s had a few barrier trials, but he had been a bit of a handful. I told the owners let’s give him a run and see how he goes, we never know, and I have to say he surprised us,” said the Kiwi handler.

“Those Burgundy’s (Little Master’s sire) are going good in New Zealand.”

Gray also paid a special compliment to his apprentice jockey for sparing no effort in getting the Ninetyseven Stable-owned gelding right.

“Hats off to Amirul who spent a lot of time with him at the barriers,” he said.

“Amirul is off to Tasmania for three months. He will be the champion apprentice when he comes back.”

Like many of the Singapore Turf Club-based apprentice jockeys currently based overseas, the son of former jockey Ismadi Ismail will soon follow suit, but will be the first to ride in the Apple Isle (majority are in New Zealand).

“I am leaving for Tasmania on November 1. It should be a good experience,” said the Ipoh-born rider.

“It’s nice to ride a couple of winners before leaving.”

Amirul, who actually rode only one winner (Taramea on February 12) for his master at his previous seven 2017 wins (which included four in a row for Cliff Brown at his last four), said that he actually thought he won the race.

“My horse had the better momentum, I thought I got it on my own,” he said.

“He is a difficult horse to work, especially his barrier manners. We gave him the right education at the jumpouts and he is going in the right direction now.

“Things turned out very well today. To be honest, he was still very green and was looking around, but luckily, he put his mind right at the correct moment.”