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Homeward-bound Mauritian jockey Nooresh Juglall was all smiles after he managed to leave for a Group 1 mission on a winning note on Sunday.
Juglall will be missing from the Kranji riding ranks next week as he heads back to the Indian Ocean island to take a ride in the Mauritius Group 1 Barbe Cup (1600m) at the Champ de Mars on Saturday. There is no Sunday meeting in Singapore next week, but the 25-year-old will miss Friday’s standalone meeting as there are no flights towards Mauritius on Friday night.
The former two-time South African champion apprentice jockey is booked by Mauritius champion trainer Soun Gujadhur to ride Bouclette Top in the big race along with a few more rides on the undercard.
“It’s always a pride for me to ride before my hometown. As there was only the Friday meeting I would miss, I thought it was a good opportunity to fly back,” said Juglall.
“I haven’t ridden there since the International Jockeys Day in December. I know that horse well as he was one of the top horses in South Africa when I was an apprentice there, and when Mr Gujadhur rang to give me the ride, it was too good to turn it down.
“It was good to get a winner today as that can only boost my confidence ahead of this trip back home.”
Juglall’s winner was surprise pop Siamese Cat for his main supporter Patrick Shaw in the $38,000 Kranji Stakes D (1600m), but he was not all that stunned the $254 longshot got on board at her fourth start.
“She worked very well and I was expecting a forward race from her today,” he said.
“She fought on to the line and won a nice race. Great job to Pat (Shaw) and the owners.
“Mauritius, I’m coming!”
Shaw said the pedigree was the biggest draw to Siamese Cat when he bought the four-year-old mare, though he was a little surprised that maiden win had come earlier than anticipated.
“She’s by Big Brown, and that’s the thing that got my attention for sure; the pedigree,” said the South African handler.
“We took the blinkers off today and it’s worked wonders. Corey (Brown) always said this mare had ability and he was right.
“But she won’t go to Hollywood. She will stay for sure, though.”
An Argentinian-bred four-year-old mare by 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Big Brown, Siamese Cat was at her fourth start for the Thai owners, the Kajorn Petch R No 4 Stable, better known for racing leading three-year-old Infantry.
