It was indeed a Happy Saturday (NZ) (Rock ‘n’ Pop) for David Kok and his new owner Sia Wei Kiang when a new ward of theirs going by that name made all to open his account second-up in the S$75,000 Restricted Maiden race over 1200m.
Ridden by Benny Woodworth, the Rock ‘N’ Pop three-year-old was one of the best away and never relinquished his pole position throughout the Polytrack scamper.
Under hands-and-heels riding, Happy Saturday bolted in to leave the chasing pack fighting for the minors around six lengths astern.
Kok, who bought Happy Saturday for the paltry sum of $4,000 at the New Zealand Yearling sale out of Seaton Park’s Book 3 draft, was certainly chuffed with the happy returns at only his second run.
“The field was quite open at his first run, but today the field was weaker and he won easily,” said Kok.
“At his last trial, he led, and we knew he had some gate speed. I told Benny to jump fast and if nobody else wants to go forward, to just let him roll, but if they go crazy, just take a sit.
“He managed to go forward and he won an easy race in the end. It’s good for his owner Wei Kiang who is new to racing, that’s the first horse I train for him and there’s another one, Happy Sunday (x Sweynesse), who hasn’t raced yet.
“I bought Happy Saturday at the New Zealand Yearling Sale for only NZ$4,000. I like Rock ‘N’ Pops, I had Refresh (four-time winner) by the same sire before, they are early types.”
