When trainer Michael Clements made his choice from the only available three jockeys on standby for the replacement ride on Siam Blue Vanda (NZ) Echoes Of Heaven) in the S$400,000 Stewards’ Cup (1600m), little did he know he was about to give someone the opportunity of a rare double feat.
Even if Clements does not often book A’Isisuhairi ‘Harry’ Kasim, when he picked the former two-time Singapore champion apprentice jockey to replace Daniel Moor (stood down by the Stewards) for that plum ride, he had no idea James Peters did the same four years ago in the same feature race.
The Malaysian jockey then turned super-sub for champion jockey Manoel Nunes (indisposed) in steering Titanium (NZ) (Tavistock) home for the English trainer in the Stewards’ Cup, which was then run as the first Leg of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge (it is now the second Leg) over 1400m.
“I feel sorry for Daniel Moor, but I’m happy this has been my night,” A’Isisuhairi said.
“I remember I also replaced Manoel Nunes on Titanium and we won the same Stewards’ Cup. Things keep rocking this year.”
One of a quintet of horses for Clements, Siam Blue Vanda defeated stablemate Top Knight (Zoustar) with Aramaayo (Poet’s Voice) third for Shane Baerschiger.
That second Stewards’ Cup win capped a great night at the office for A’Isisuhairi. He won the previous race aboard $390 longshot Lim’s Samurai (see earlier report), prompting the likeable Kelantan-born jockey to reflect on his fairly successful journey at Kranji since returning from his early apprenticeship in New Zealand.
“I had a bad year in 2018 – it wasn’t really a bad year as it’s part of the ups-and-downs of a jockey, but I just continued with what I’ve been doing all these years,” he said.
“Last year was better as (trainer) Shane Baertschiger supported me on his two-year-olds in those Restricted Maiden races and I also won two Group races with his champion horse, I’m Incredible.
“You have the confidence when you are still winning. Whether you were a champion jockey or champion apprentice, people forget that, but you just have to keep working hard.”
Clements confirmed all five runners would carry on to the S$1million Singapore Derby (1800m) on April 18, a race he has never won before.
“It was a great effort by all of them, especially for the first two. Top Knight was again an unlucky second, but it’s fantastic for Siam Blue Vanda and his owner (Pupetch Racing Stable).
“Unfortunately for Daniel Moor, he couldn’t take the ride (on Siam Blue Vanda), but Harry’s done a good job.
“Harry is a very good jockey and has a proven good record in big races.
“As for the winner, the breed is the same as Countofmontecristo as his sire is also Echoes Of Heaven. They do seem to get more ground later on; as a four-year-old, they get the distance.
“He is a late-maturing New Zealand-bred and is very similar to Countofmontecristo. He was very strong tonight.”
Siam Blue Vanda has now taken his smart record to seven wins and two thirds from 15 starts for stakes earnings that have just tipped over the S$500,000 for Thai outfit Pupetch Racing Stable.
Like Countofmontecristo, Siam Blue Vanda is a graduate of Mark and Lorraine Forbes Kiltannon Stables, sold to Waterford Bloodstock for NZ$40,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale.
