Penang apprentice jockey Yusoff Fadzli punched home his first winner at Kranji when he steered Taro San to a come-from-behind victory – aptly in the $45,000 Penang Turf Club Trophy, a Class 4 Non Premier race over 1000m on Friday night.
The 29-year-old was not at his first taste of success as he had already won two races from 89 rides during his first steps as a jockey in Malaysia, when indentured to Dr Tan Swee Hock - father of Kranji trainer Tan Kah Soon – and trainer Ooi Chin Chin.
Seeking out a new experience, he moved South in 2014 to join ex-Kranji trainer Sonny Yeoh before transferring to Saimee Jumaat, the former Singapore multiple-champion jockey-turned-trainer, when Yeoh relinquished his licence.
Under Saimee, the 29-year-old was successful in getting an apprentice jockey’s licence at the end of July, together with Saimee’s second rookie, Nizar Mohammad, who contrary to Yusoff, had never ridden in a race before.
After six unplaced rides, Yusoff, who was at his only booking of the night, finally got on the board following a patient ride aboard the well-backed and Saimee-trained Taro San ($20), who was incidentally also shedding his own maiden tag after knocking on the door with three placings from four previous starts.
“I’m very happy I rode my first winner in Singapore,” said Yusoff who comes from a family of syces, both among his father and brothers, and did some basic training in New Zealand.
“I’d like to thank my boss for teaching me a lot, and for supporting me with rides. I ride this horse in trackwork and I know him quite well.
“He’s quite an easy horse to ride. He settled very well at the rear and he ran on very well.
“I’m also happy my first win came in a trophy race named after my hometown.”
Saimee said Yusoff was a hard worker who deserved every success coming his way.
“It’s good for him. He came close a few times and I’m very happy he’s finally got his first winner here as he’s such a hard worker,” said Saimee.
“He’s obviously a rider who’s already got the experience in Malaysia and I had no problem putting him on a horse with a chance tonight.
“The four kilos are also a big help, but he still gave the horse a good ride. That’s what he needed to give him that moral boost.
“I was a bit concerned when he missed the kick, but credit to him, he didn’t panic and he did a good job.
“I told him before that if you miss the kick, just ride the horse after he jumps and take it from there. I didn’t give him any instructions for that ride, just told him to go and enjoy the ride, and it’s paid off.”
A four-year-old by All American, Taro San, who was a one-time winner (1000m) in Tamworth in New South Wales when known as Ameridon, has now hit the $50,000 mark in local earnings on top of the A$27,746 he banked in at his country of origin.
