Former pest controller Sazali Ramli used to know all about weeds and other undesirable vermins, but it is unlikely he will get rid of that different kind of bug that has bitten him for a while now – the racing bug.
Especially not after he recorded his first career win as a jockey on Friday night. Yes, the 27-year-old young man from Bukit Batok swapped sprayers for spurs and saddles five years ago, and finally got at the receiving end of a most priceless reward for that bold career switch – a win aboard Kevin Eleven for his master Michael Clements.
Sazali rode a copybook race aboard the $87 chance in the $38,000 Scotiabank Cup, a Kranji Stakes D Division 1 race over 1200m, parking him in third spot before setting him alight on a wide course upon straightening to go and shoot straight for the steel.
The Danroad six-year-old broke away to a commanding lead, but was not home and hosed yet with Morales (Oscar Chavez) and Fantastic Man (Elione Chaves) closing in at the rate of knots, but Sazali was not about to be robbed of his moment of glory.
Wielding the whip quite stylishly while keeping a near-perfect poise in the saddle, he gave a few backhanders on the rump while pushing in sync for that ultimate drive to the wire. Kevin Eleven responded kindly with a second wind to hold Morales at bay by 1 ¼ lengths with Fantastic Man a nose away in third. The winning time was 1min 10.75secs for the 1200m on the Long Course.
The Singapore Training Academy of Racing (STAR) graduate, who was first indentured to Leticia Dragon before transferring to Clements, was over the moon as he weighed back in with a grin that he would never have worn even if he had exterminated all the pests on the planet.
“This is a dream come true,” said Sazali as if floating on a cloud - not the one from a fogger.
“I grew up hearing all about horse racing as my dad is a syce with Laurie Laxon and my uncle was a starter. They encouraged me to become a jockey and I dedicate that win to them.
“I ride this horse in trackwork but he did not show much. But tonight, everything just went right.
“He responded to my riding from the 600m and suddenly I was all alone in front. Where was the rest?
“I couldn’t believe it and that’s when I realised I was about to get my first winner. It’s taken me 18 rides but it’s been well worth the wait.”
Clements’ assistant-trainer Michael White praised Sazali for his discipline and determination to succeed.
“He turns up for work every morning and puts in the hard yards. He really deserves that win which I think has come at his 18th ride,” said White.
“He’s done nothing really wrong in his races. Sometimes he was drawn bad or he didn’t have much luck, but tonight he got his breakthrough.”
Raced by New Zealand owners Graham Mackie and Trish Dunell of Spalato fame, Kevin Eleven was recording his third win from 18 starts for stakes earnings past the $110,000 mark.
