All 26 Kranji trainers are on the scoresheet after Mok Zhan Lun became the last to check in with his first winner on Friday.
The Singaporean handler held the unenviable position of the last trainer with a “0” next to his name on the ladder, with four seconds from 29 runners as his best result to show for.
But My Gold finally brought on the smiles and a huge sigh of relief in the Mok camp following a well-judged ride from his young Malaysian rider Iskandar Rosman in the opening event, the $38,000 Kranji Stakes D race over 1000m.
After the frustrating run, Mok was loath to be over-confident the Globetrotter four-year-old would be the one to end his misery, even if his two fourths from three starts under his care had been rather promising.
Iskandar, however, listened to his instructions to a tee as My Gold ($24) came off a smothered run in fifth spot to overcome favourite Run The Day (Vlad Duric) when a run presented itself before fending off a stinging surge from Majulah (Troy See) to fall in by half-a-length.
Rich Fortune (Wong Chin Chuen) came from well back to run third another length away. The winning time was 59.97secs for the 1000m on the Polytrack.
“Obviously, with no winners this year, the staff and owners had a low morale,” said Mok.
“We just needed that winner to boost our confidence, and I’m glad it’s finally come through tonight.
“This horse (My Gold) was down in grade and with the four-kilo claim. His last couple of runs have been good, and I had a silent hope he could be the one to give my first 2019 win.
“I’d like to thank all the support from the owners even during that low tide.”
Mok said My Gold came to him from trainer Alwin Tan after some bleeding issues, but has been showing some potential in three starts.
“He had a spell after bleeding but has done nothing wrong since he came to me,” he said.
“I dropped him in grade tonight and the four-kilo claim was another major factor.”
Iskandar, who was also opening his 2019 account after booting home his first three winners last year, said My Gold gave him a good kick when he sooled him up for his final dash at the 300m.
“The horse jumped well. The instructions were to sit second or third,” said Lee Freedman’s apprentice jockey.
“The pace was fast and I found myself a little further back but he was always travelling very well. When I asked him to go in the straight, he responded very well and won a nice race.”
My Gold has now taken his record to two wins and three placings from 13 starts for prizemoney in excess of $90,000 for the St Resources Stable.
