Top apprentice jockey A’Isisuhairi Kasim took the saying “never gave his rivals a look-in” to another level when he was seen glancing behind him at least seven times as his ride Ninetysevenemperor romped in with consummate ease on Sunday.
Still a maiden before that walkover, Ninetysevenemperor did give strong hints there was a race soon for him, especially after his two last runs when he ran on for second over six furlongs. It was precisely at that last run that A’Isisuhairi, who was then at his first sit on the Thorn Park three-year-old, realised he was onto something good.
But when the Leslie Khoo-trained galloper, in the blink of an eye, dashed from fifth spot to first round the home turn in the $65,000 Initiation race over 1600m, even the two-time Singapore champion apprentice jockey seemed taken by surprise with the dominant way he just blitzed the opposition.
As the big space between him and the rest kept widening, A’Isisuhairi could afford to turn off the engine, but kept looking over his shoulders, both nearside and offside, several times, just to make sure there was no last-minute spoiler.
He needn’t have worried. Amazing (John Powell), who led the race, finished four lengths in arrears in second place while Politicallycorrect (Mohd Firdaus) was third another gap of 3 ½ lengths away. The winning time was 1min 35.68secs for the 1600m on the Short Course.
While some might have interpreted his ride inside the concluding stages as overconfidence, A’Isisuhairi was quick to point out he was in no way being cocky or taunting his fellow jockeys. He was just mindful of the horse’s future, which he hopes he will be part of.
“I think the distance suited him and the blinkers helped him to focus better, but I just couldn’t believe how far ahead we were,” said A’Isisuhairi.
“Once I knew I would win, all I wanted to do was to make sure he gets as soft a run to the line as possible.
“I knew he was a very smart horse, but I didn’t expect he would win so easily. I was just making sure he held the margin and I was also thinking of the future.
“This is a horse I fell in love with from the first time I rode him. I wanted to make sure he would not get a hard run as I wanted to save him for his next outings - and I hope I will get to ride him then.
“I would like to thank Mr Khoo for keeping me on him after the first ride. I think he can win better races in the future.”
Khoo, a former jockey himself and who is known to pull no punches when it comes to rides that don’t meet his expectations, was a little puzzled by the number of times A’Isisuhairi looked around, but the latter did not cop a serve as, after all, it is the win that matters.
“Harry should just look ahead at the winning post!” said Khoo. “But I guess my horse was too good today.
“I was actually expecting him to run well today, but not win so easily. I’ve had him for only four runs since he came from Michael Freedman, but he’s really improved a lot.
“This horse can stay and the step-up to the mile suited him. I may even step him up over further in the future.
“I’m glad for the owner Mr Hong (Ying Kwee) who has been very patient with this horse.”
Mr Hong is better remembered for being the joint-owner of former dual Singapore Horse of the Year Super Easy under the Joy N Happiness Stable banner.
