Former Singapore multiple-champion jockey Saimee Jumaat was all nervous about raising his hand on Monday.

During his riding days, Saimee would be mindful not to make any premature celebratory gesture when crossing the line first as it would entail a $500 fine from the Stewards.

Now a trainer in his own right since last August, Saimee was just as aware of the impact on his pocket should he inadvertently put his hand up at the Karaka National Yearling Sales ring on Monday – a few zeroes more than $500 for sure, except that you also bring a horse home.

With prized horseflesh flying off the shelves – and at prices that can hit the NZ$1 million mark at the Karaka Sales - bidders better know how deep their pocket is before the hammer is knocked down.

Saimee, who has attended sales before but was bidding for the first time, said his heart was racing before New Zealand Bloodstock auctioneer Mike Kneebone finally shouted “Sold to Saimee Jumaat!” for an Ocean Park colt out of Chico he paid NZ$50,000 for.

“I’ve been to a few sales before but it was different this time: I was bidding!” said the Singaporean handler.

“I was very nervous. What if I raised my hand for the wrong bid? But it was all good in the end – I bought my first horse.

“I like the sire Ocean Park. Raheeb is by Ocean Park and is one of my favourite horses.”

While it will be a while before this new recruit proves his worth for the yard, Saimee will rely on his team at home to improve on their current 2018 score of two winners, Ohyioh and Red Riding Wood, this weekend.

Both figured on the handicap list, but Red Riding Wood was unfortunately withdrawn.

“I thought that Friday race (Class 3 race over 1700m) was not suitable for Red Riding Wood and decided to scratch him,” he said.

“Ohyioh (x O’Reilly) is running in a Novice race (1400m on Sunday) I always had in mind for him. He’s done all his mileage and I thought all along he could go further.

“First-up I ran him over 1200m on Polytrack. Win, lose or draw, he would still have run in the Novice race, but the bonus is he won.

“He had his last gallop in company on Friday and I was very happy with his work. He’s a horse who needs to be kept fresh; he will just have a bit of pacework tomorrow.”

Saimee also saddles another handy runner in Magic City, the Brazilian-bred three-time winner formerly trained by Laurie Laxon, in the $80,000 Class 3 race over 1400m on Friday. He felt he has sized up the Holy Roman Emperor four-year-old better after two runs under his stewardship.

“I’ve had a good feel of Magic City after two starts for me,” he said.

“At his first run over 1000m, he ran okay and at his second run over 1200m, he ran on very well (fourth to Justice Day). I had this 1400m in mind for him but those two runs were for me to get to know him better.

“I wanted to stretch him over more ground and that’s why I put the blinkers on this Friday as he wanted to charge at his last two runs.

“Eventually I would like to step him up to 1600m-1800m and may even look at the Derby as you turn four only once, but one race at a time.”

The Group 1 Emirates Singapore Derby (1800m) is run on July 22 and is the third Leg of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge.