Apprentice jockey Zuriman Zulkifli wore a wide grin as he brought Pratt Street back to scales shortly after landing the $75,000 Restricted Maiden race over 1100m.
He had every reason to be jubilant. The last time he visited the winner’s circle was on August 30 aboard Incandescent.
Nearly three months have gone by since without the Kelantan-born rookie saluting the judge, but Pratt Street, who was himself opening his account at his second start, gave him the much-needed thirst quencher he had been pining for.
“I’m so happy I’ve finally won a race after such a long time,” said the amiable young man.“I had no luck, but at the same time, there are a lot of apprentice jockeys these days. Luckily I have Mr Marsh to support me but he also has had a quiet time.
“A lot of his horses are old already and we have to wait for the new young ones to come through, and this one (Pratt Street) is one of them. Next year will be a better year for us.”
“At his debut, he was stuck on the rails and he didn’t like it, and that’s why we went forward today,” he said.
“I work him every morning and I could tell he had improved since his first run. But he was still very green; he kept looking around in the home straight.”
The well-supported Lady Iffraaj (Manoel Nunes) looked like she could rain on Zuriman’s parade late, but Pratt Street stuck to his task well to score by half-a-length. Gold Pin (Rueven Ravindra) who was always in the first three, improved from his first three inconspicuous starts by running third another length away. The winning time was 1min 5.95secsf or the 1100m on the Polytrack.
Just like his apprentice, Marsh was savouring a win which has been few and far between this season. Pratt Street was bringing up his 19th win when, in comparison, the Kiwi stood at 41 wins this time last year.
“It’s nice to get a win. Our new horses are coming along and this one has always shown ability,” said Marsh.
“He was a bit lost behind horses at his debut. It was a funny sort of turf race with a lot of kickback.
“He was still very green today, but he’s a nice relaxed sort of horse who does not do more than he has to do. I think he will be a lot better with blinkers on.
“He’s by Bel Esprit but I think he will get better over more ground as well.”
Pratt Street is a three-year-old New Zealand-bred by Bel Esprit out of Blue Quail and is raced by the New Zealand outfit, Lincoln Farms Stable.
