Apprentice jockey Chin Chee Seng's patience was finally rewarded when he rode his first Singapore winner at his 63rd ride on Sunday, the Brian Dean-trained Kaepeeyai in the $35,000 Class 5 Division 2 Lucky 2012 Handicap (1200m) on Polytrack.
The Ipoh-born rider, who is indentured to trainer Bruce Marsh, has a few placings to his name, but had somehow found that maiden Kranji win elusive.
Trained in Perth where he rode four winners on the provincial circuit as an apprentice for trainer Neville Parnham, Chin, 27, had been itching to get that first win out of the way and could not have chosen a more auspicious occasion than New Year's Day to open his account.
“It's been a long wait and at times I felt I was struggling to get that first win,” said Chin, who was apprenticed to Malaysian trainer KH Ng before he moved down South to Marsh's yard.
“I also felt sorry for my boss (Marsh) who has always supported me with good rides in the one year I've been riding for him. I had a few placings but unfortunately no winners.
“But it feels great to finally ride a winner, even though it's not for my boss. It's also unlucky the trainer was not here as I heard he went back to his hometown.
“I hope he was able to watch the race on TV.”
Chin said his first year in Singapore has seen its fair share of woes, but the love of riding made it all the more worthwhile.
“I had a bad fall in a trial and I was out for a few months. I was down but I told myself I will not give up,” he said.
“I would not let this fall break my hopes of becoming a jockey and I carried on. It's been a tough game but I'm glad I've stayed in it.
“I'd like to thank (senior track rider) Clint (Isdale) who guides me in my riding at the stables. He's helped me a lot.”
Chin's New Year joy was however soured later when he was fined $500 by the Stipendiary Stewards for raising his hand in a celebratory gesture a few metres before the winning post.
As Kaepeeyai ($96) came with a sweeping run at the 200m, he rolled back in before drawing clear. When Chin realised he had that first win in the bag, he did a Glen Boss by standing high in the irons and waving his whip to the Grandstand crowd.
