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Kranji-based Malaysian apprentice jockey Amirul Ismadi finally notched his first Tasmanian winner last Wednesday.
Indentured to Brighton trainer Stuart Gandy for three months in the Australian city of Hobart under a Singapore Turf Club apprentice jockey scheme, Amirul has been a regular fixture on Tasmanian racecards since his arrival on November 13.
The son of former jockey-turned-trainer Ismadi Ismail and nephew of Malaysian multiple-champion jockey Azhar Ismail opened his account at his 16th ride at a Launceston night meeting.
Based in Singapore since 2016, the Ipoh-born Amirul was bringing up his total career tally (chalked up between Malaysia and Singapore) to 59 winners. He has also ridden in Abu Dhabi and China but did not ride any winners there.
Riding Gee Gee Red Prince (10-3) for Gandy in a Benchmark 88 race over 1220m, Amirul took the Wordsmith five-year-old to the front but was collared by Gee Gee Double Dee (Troy Baker) who also races for leading Tasmanian owners Paul and Elizabeth Geard. In a ding-dong battle to the line, Amirul’s mount was able to scrape home by a short head.
He actually doubled his score with Flash Missile (4-1), again for Gandy, one week later in a Benchmark 72 race over 1880m at Devonport on December 8.
“It felt really great when I rode my first Tasmanian winner, especially when Stuart Gandy has been providing me with quality rides. I was riding seconds and thirds until I landed my first winner,” said Amirul, who is indentured to trainer Stephen Gray at Kranji.
“I have settled really well, riding trackwork every morning while I ride in barrier trials once or twice weekly and at different locations between Hobart, Launceston, Longford and Devonport.
“Stuart and Stephen Maskiell (TasRacing riding master) have given me a lot of advice regarding my rides and how the track set-up is down here. All the local jockeys have been really great, always there to give a helping hand and advice.
“So far, I’ve ridden mainly at Hobart and Launceston and I find the two tracks quite different, but I’m getting used to them now.”
