Hard work is paying off for apprentice jockey Desmond Chan Wei Sheng and it showed in the polished manner with which he steered his only ride of the night to a smart win on Friday night.
The Singaporean rookie certainly looked more balanced and stronger in the saddle after he launched Golden Spark ($25) off a smothered run in fourth place to easily overpower Lively Dragon inside the last quarter of the 1000m race for Class 5 gallopers.
He also wielded the whip with better poise and with a more distinctive Australian style than he used to, though he may have overdone it when the horse was already home and hosed.
The US-bred three-year-old by Munnings was recording his first win in seven starts, a result not unexpected given his much-improved effort at his last outing when a gallant second to Mother Nature in a 1100m race two weeks ago.
Formerly indentured to Leslie Khoo, Chan joined another jockey-turned-trainer Kuah Cheng Tee two months ago in a bid to resurrect his stuttering career, with a view of applying himself more in the steering area.
Just last year, Chan was suspended on no less than six occasions, all on a careless riding charge that added up to 16 meetings on the outer all up.
Unfortunately, it is still work in progress in that department as he was recently involved in a few enquiries for careless riding.
But with two winners already on the board this year compared to three winners from 133 rides last year, Chan can set aside his woes in the Stewards’ room for a while.
“Things are going slightly better this year. CT helps me with my riding and he gives me good rides, I thank him for his support,” said Chan whose other 2017 win came with Golden Thunder on March 10.
“Just last week, I rode Golden Thunder in the 3YO race (Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic). The race was too strong but I have to thank CT and the owner for sticking with me in a big race.
“They (My Man Stable) also own Golden Spark and I’m glad I was able to get this horse home tonight.”
Kuah was glad for both horse and apprentice jockey, probably more so for the latter, after all the pep talk they have had.
“It’s good for Desmond. He only joined me in the last two months, but he has really improved, and he is a hard worker,” said the second-year trainer.
“He’s had a few problems with suspensions last year, and I think he’s got one coming up soon. That win will boost his morale.
“I’ve been guiding him a lot in his riding and it seems to have worked. Tonight, I just told him to keep that horse straight, he gave him a bit of a bashing in the last bit, though.
“Golden Spark is one of two horses the owner has sent to me, the other one being the Irish horse Golden Thunder, and both have won, which is very satisfying. I hope there’ll be more horses from that owner very soon.
“They’re quite different. Golden Thunder is an Irish-bred that I bought at last year’s Irish sale held at the Club and can go up to a mile, I think.
“Golden Spark has taken a while to find his mark, but he showed potential and scored a nice first win tonight. He is probably just a 1200m horse, though.”
