3 minute read

Trainer Tan Hor Khoon was a man in a hurry on Friday after he bagged a race-to-race double in the first two events.

The Singaporean kicked off the evening with a win from A Lot In Hand (see earlier report) before doubling the dose with $38 shot Special ID in the $65,000 Trudeau 2013 Stakes, an Initiation race over 1400m.

Tan said both horses were in good shape, though he was more confident about Special ID, five times placed from six runs.

But he was especially chuffed he had played a part in providing apprentice jockey Syahir Abdul with his ice-breaker at his 49th ride, that aboard A Lot In Hand. He said he naturally supported the young man with race rides to recognise the hard work he put in for his yard in the morning.

“He’s been helping me a lot and he’s already ridden this horse. The kid can ride and it showed tonight,” said Tan.

“It was hard to tell if this horse (A Lot In Hand) could win as he’s just a Class 5 horse, but Special ID has been very consistent and was overdue for a win. Mark rode him very well.”

Ewe was very happy he had been able to be the first one to steer the son of Red Arrow to victory.

"I rode the horse before and he was pulling a bit. Tonight, I just let him stride along and he never got tired," said the Malaysian jockey.

"I'm very happy for the owner who has been very patient with this horse and for supporting me again tonight.

"I would also like to thank HK Tan who has trained this horse very well."

Australian jockey Danny Beasley looked on the cusp of a dream comeback when Classified, who races in his pet horse War Affair’s colours, loomed as a major threat on the outside of Special ID, but he could not quite pick him up to eventually settle for second place another 1 ½ lengths away.

“It would have been great if that horse had won, especially in these colours. I was getting a bit emotional when I got on this horse,” said the Sydney jockey who was back riding for the EW Barker Trophy and Longines Singapore Gold Cup weekend after his seven-year Singapore stint ended in December 2014.

“Anyway, it’s great to be back as I still consider Singapore as partly my home. I spent seven years here and it's sure made me a better rider.

“Hopefully I can kick home a few winners, if not tonight, I still have Sunday!”