3 minute read
Comeback apprentice jockey Sazali Ramli was overjoyed at his second career win after he booted Stop The Water home in the $50,000 Class 4 race (1400m) on Sunday.
Formerly indentured to ex-Kranji trainer Michael Clements, the 34-year-old Singaporean made his debut in Singapore in September 2015 before opening his account with Kevin Eleven in a Kranji Stakes D Division 1 race (1200m) five months later. Unfortunately, the Singapore Training Academy of Racing (STAR) graduate was winless in 13 more rides.
Clements then sent Sazali to New Zealand, where he spent a short two-month stint from July to August 2016. He came home with one third in four rides as his best result before returning to Singapore and eventually relinquishing his apprentice jockey's licence to become a track rider again.
The father of four worked for trainer Donna Logan before joining trainer Steven Burridge in October 2021. A return to race-riding was not on Sazali's mind until his late friend and senior trackrider, Mohammad Noh, encouraged him to re-apply for another apprentice jockey's licence for a last shot at the races in Kranji before Singapore racing's closure this October. Sazali heeded his advice and was given his second licence in December last year before he made his comeback this January.
Burridge was his main supporter since the start of the season, albeit Sazali also rode for a few other trainers like Leslie Khoo, Jerome Tan and Kuah Cheng Tee. He was seen smiling from ear to ear after his 67th ride greeted the judges again.
"He was a very good chance. I'm very excited now," said Sazali after he weighed in for the race.
"I've waited for so long. I was down and thought 'I don't have any winner until now', but I know I can only do my very best.
"My Boss (Burridge) gave me the ride and I'm thankful for that. It's very hard to get such good rides. If I missed out on him (Stop The Water ), that's it. I might never get a good chance again (racing ceases after 5 October meeting).
"He jumped well and went to the front as per my boss' instruction. I just cuddled him along the way and he gave his best shot in the straight.
"I was not nervous at all when we were approaching the finishing line. I gave my very best. I rode him in trackwork since Monday and I knew him well.
"I did ride him once previously in the races and it didn't work out (ran sixth in a Novice race over 1200m on 14 January), but he ran well today."
After three unplaced rides on Sunday, Sazali had only one last ride, and arguably his best chance of the day, to end his winless drought. Stop The Water jumped on terms from barrier four this time and landed in his usual on-pace position, while Pacific Warrior (Daniel Moor) and joint-favourite Gold Governor (Bruno Queiroz) settled in second and third respectively.
The race went to script as the Headwater four-year-old led easily into the homestraight while his stablemate and also joint-favourite Hasten (Simon Kok) popped off the rails for his final dash. No one really threatened the leader late, albeit Pacific Warrior closed in at the 50m mark.
Still, the birds had already flown after Stop The Water ($24) finished one-and-a-quarter lengths ahead of the brave Pacific Warrior. Amazing Breeze (Bernardo Pinheiro) ran another three lengths away in third.
The winning time was 1 min 23.78 seconds for the 1400m on the Short Course.
Sazali, who will sit out next Sunday's meeting because of his careless ride atop Quadcopter on 28 July, was more than happy to savour the win.
"I really appreciate this chance to ride and win again," said the former pest controller, whose dad was a syce with late legendary trainer Laurie Laxon.
"I had to come back from New Zealand and gave up my licence the last time (in 2016) because my family needed me and so I became a track rider again.
"Now besides Steven, my wife (Sharifah) also gives me a lot of encouragement.
"But after racing ends, I don't think I will be in the racing industry anymore. I know I will miss racing a lot because I've been in this industry for 15 years and that's about half of my life spent with horses. I will enjoy it while it lasts."
Burridge was glad for Sazali and Theresa Lee of the Fairdeal and Ronald Lau Stable, who had been a great supporter of the Australian handler's since her father and late Dato Terry Lee was around.
"It's good for the kid (Sazali) because he doesn't get many more chances to win races here, so it's nice to get one win together," said Burridge.
"He's been with us for a while now and was just a trackrider. He's hardworking and rode to instructions.
"The four kilos off his (Stop The Water) back helped too and I thought he would run the 1400m as well.
"It's good for Theresa too because she's been a good supporter of mine."
With three wins and five placings in 11 starts, Stop The Water has taken his earnings close to $130,000 for connections.
