The new pairing of current leading apprentice jockey Mohd Firdaus with former promising juvenile Smart Lad has already sparked some encouraging results for trainer Mohd Yusof.
With Firdaus the rider of Yusof’s two winners this term, Black Diamond and Smart Supreme, it’s not hard to see why the veteran Singaporean trainer is a fan of trainer Patrick Shaw’s in-form four-pound claimer.
But for some reason, Yusof had until now never booked the Johor Bahru boy aboard Smart Lad even though the Prince Arthur four-year-old has been ridden by as many as 13 jockeys in 19 starts for only two wins (apprentice jockeys A’Isisuhairi Kasim and Farick Tan), with seven of these riding changes coming at his last seven runs.
While that latest round of “musical saddles” did not produce any win, three of the jockeys rode him to close seconds. In fact, Smart Lad, who races in the same yellow and navy blue hooped colours of Yusof’s best horse ever, Smart Bet, has not scored in more than a year when Tan drove him to a smashing win in a Benchmark 67 race over 1600m on February 1, 2015.
A barrier trial may not be the real deal, but from the way Firdaus instantly hit it off with Smart Lad in Thursday’s last heat, Yusof could afford to hope again. The gelding galloped handy throughout the trial before racing away to a comfortable win, scoring by just under two lengths.
Yusof said the hit-out would top him off nicely ahead of a Class 4 race over 1800m next Sunday week, but was at the same time keeping his feet on the ground.
He for one has not forgotten all the buzz around Smart Lad as a two-year-old. Some even saw hints of a Smart Bet legacy, with the Singapore Derby (which Smart Bet won in 2002) trail being bandied around as a possible goal.
But Mr Lim Chong Sam’s four-year-old has somehow not been as “smart” as expected.
“I remember how he won a trial by more than 13 lengths with (former apprentice) Noh (Senari) just after he turned three,” said Yusof.
“We had high expectations for him, but now, he cannot even beat Class 4 horses. Today he won a trial but he didn’t beat much.
“But seriously, he has done okay, it’s just that he needs more ground. People thought I was mad when I ran him in a 2200m Benchmark 83 race when his rating is only 61, but he nearly won (half-length second to Precious Gem)!
“Then he ran over the mile which was too short for him, but no choice, there were no other races for him. He ran a lot better over 2000m with Michael Rodd at his last start, when he finished second.
“It’s the first time Firdaus will ride him. I picked him because on 61 points, the horse will definitely carry the top weight in a Class 4 race and his two-kilo claim will help.
“Firdaus is also the leading apprentice now and winning form is good form. From the way they got along today, I hope they can do the same in races.”
After leaping to the top of the premiership courtesy of a riding treble aboard Know Each Other, Kam’s Comet and Singsurat on Sunday, Firdaus is hungry for more winners.
“He jumped good and travelled well throughout. Once I clicked him up, he quickened very well and won a nice trial,” said the Malaysian rookie after he jumped off.
“Thank you to Mr Yusof for supporting me with another good ride. I hope he can win next week and keep up the good run for me.”
