Hong Kong boom apprentice jockey Matthew Poon’s record of not returning home empty-handed at a Kranji meeting was amazingly kept intact one year on.
Affectionately known as the “Poon Train”, the Adelaide-trained rider came up with at least one winner at the four meetings he rode in at his first Singapore visit last August as the Dux of the South Australian Apprentice School, winning the hearts of all and sundry at Kranji with a stunning haul of six winners and a first Group silverware to boot – the Group 3 Garden City Trophy aboard Faaltless.
Returning for three weeks as the recently-crowned Hong Kong champion apprentice jockey this time, Poon did not seem too fazed by the heavier weight of expectations resting on his shoulders.
Still, with only two rides – and both Abebe and Enchanted Mister considered as moderate chances - at his first meeting on Friday night, not many were backing Poon, who now claims only one kilo, to pick up where he left off.
The new Singapore sling did indeed get off to a dull start with Abebe ($35) running last for his Kranji master Shane Baertschiger in the Class 4 Non Premier race (1600m) won by longshot Spirit Seven.
But the Poon Train was actually just chugging off his berth.
Aboard Enchanted Mister ($37) in the $80,000 Class 3 race over 1200m on Polytrack, he was right on schedule this time, even if some might have wondered if he had not overspent the Lee Freedman-trained newcomer’s (recent transfer from Ricardo Le Grange) petrol from the awkward alley.
After Dream Comes True (Olivier Placais) won the early battle for the lead from a better gate, he soon had the fleet-footed Enchanted Mister for company on his outside. With the momentum, the Argentinian-bred three-year-old by Orpen even got half-a-length in front around the bend, but Dream Comes True slid right back up to keep him honest.
Poon did not back down, though, and as the pair rounded the home turn to greet the judge, he let rip on Enchanted Mister, who immediately shot clear by two lengths.
Maybe the chasing pack thought Poon’s ride would be running on empty at that point, but they were the ones who seemed to be left wanting.
Favourite Lord O’Reilly (Ryan Curatolo) and the unbeaten Clarton Treasure (Azhar Ismail) did throw down the gauntlet, but their assaults lacked a bit of punch.
Enchanted Mister did knock up a touch in the end, which allowed the two chasers to whittle down the gap, even if it was too late to change the end result. Poon’s daily Singapore win was in the bag as Enchanted Mister fell in by half-a-length from Clarton Treasure with Lord O’Reilly having to settle for third place another head away. The winning time was 1min 11.94secs for the 1200m on the Polytrack.
Freedman, who was not around when Poon cut a swathe at Kranji last year – he only began operations a month after Poon left - lavished praise on the Hong Kong sensation.
“Young Matty rode him very well. That’s why he’s a champion apprentice jockey in Hong Kong,” said the Australian Hall of Fame trainer who would certainly know a good rider when he sees one.
“He gave the horse an aggressive ride from the wide barrier and that was the right run for him.
“I’m very happy for (owner) Jeffrey (Soh of Titanium Racing Stable) who has a very good horse here. They deserve it.”
Freedman recently took over the training of seven Titanium Racing Stable horses from Le Grange. Enchanted Mister is the new partnership’s second success after Tesoro Privado opened their account last Friday.
Poon said the wide barrier was a concern but once he was able to drive his mount to the head of affairs, half the battle was won.
“He had a wide draw, but he jumped very well,” said the winner of around 170 races, two-thirds of them coming in South Australia and the rest in Hong Kong.
“It was not bad a position, and he fought on very well in the straight. It’s nice to get another win in Singapore, I hope the good run continues.”
