October 29, 2017 is a date apprentice jockey Nuh Komari will remember for a long time to come.
The 31-year-old had been anxiously waiting for the last race where he was booked for his only ride of the day, Certainly.
Not that he had high hopes on that 24th career ride giving him that dream first career win. He actually wanted the race to be over so he could dash to the hospital. His wife was about to give birth to his fourth child.
It would seem the stork did not make only one delivery.
Nuh knew four-time winner Certainly was no slouch, but he thought the 1200m of the $60,000 Open Benchmark 67 race would be a touch sharp for the middle-distance performer, first-up from a two-month spell.
Pundits seemed to think alike too, but the $391 bolter popped up between runners, to finally give Nuh that first sweet taste of victory.
Nothing beats the excitement of fatherhood even if Nuh already had two sons and one daughter, but crossing the line for the first time was just as exhilarating. The small-built rider was a “bundle of joy” himself at the winner’s circle.
“I’ve waited for this moment for so long. Thank you so much to everybody, first my master Cliff Brown, but also Michael Rodd and senior track rider Sabri for advising me, both in trackwork and races,” said Nuh.
“I would also like to thank my parents and my wife for supporting me in my decision to become a jockey even though I had multiple spinal fractures from a trackwork fall in 2013 when I was a track rider with Bruce Marsh (since 2009).
“I was riding a horse called Zaocro Heights on Track 7 when I fell. I recovered, but even though I hurt myself, I told my family this is what I want to do and they supported me.
“Mr Cliff has helped me by putting pressure on you. That’s the best way to learn and I also thank him for putting me on his horses whenever he can.”
Since getting his apprentice jockey’s licence six months ago, Nuh had four thirds to show for until Sunday, but with a fourth mouth to feed, a jockey needs to win races and Certainly’s unexpected win in the last strides of the race will help in no small way.
Riding hands and heels, Nuh brought the Nadeem five-year-old from near-last to split the fighting duo of Big Man (John Powell) and En Civil (Azhar Ismail) for that coveted first win.
Certainly scored by half-a-length from Big Man who himself beat En Civil for second place by the barest of margins. The winning time was 1min 10.86secs for the 1200m on the Short Course.
“I was only worried about the outside barrier, but I followed what Mr Cliff told me, just let him stride at the back and he will finish off by himself.”
Brown and assistant-trainer Tim Fitzsimmons were full of praise for Nuh and both gave him a few pats on the back as he weighed back in.
“He’s a terrific little kid, good luck to him,” said Brown.
Fitzsimmons said Nuh deserved to reap that first win after all the hard yards he puts in the office.
“He’s a hard-working kid and deserves that first win. He also had it rough as he had a bad fall in trackwork and he’s done well to get back,” said Fitzsimmons.
“We thought Certainly had a chance. The odds are ridiculous.
“We just told him to ride him quiet and he will finish off strongly. He was near last at the turn, and Nuh rode him brilliantly.”
