3 minute read
It wouldn’t surprise many if, after the running of Race 5 on Saturday, Four-D fanatics went scrambling to the nearest outlet of the popular Singapore lottery game before the 9-6-3-3 combination sells out.
An unraced New Zealand-bred gelding known by four numbers only, Ninesixthreethree came from near last as he circumnavigated his 10 rivals in the $20,000 Open Maiden race over 1100m before getting up by half-a-length from Eight Ball (Wong Chin Chuen).
Stunning silence (a figure of speech given there is still no crowds at the races!) greeted the $243 roughie back to scales, but winning trainer Desmond Koh, who also owns a share in the Darci Brahma four-year-old with good friends Bernard and Catherine Tan, was not that stumped by the win, save maybe for its timing, second-up.
"He didn't show much at his first run, but after Harry Kasim (A'Isisuhairi) rode him in trackwork, he told me he's improved a lot," said Koh.
"We just had to place him in the right race, and we found this Open Maiden race. Harry of course rode him today, I expected an improved run, maybe not the win, but we're all happy he won.
"Especially as I part-own him with my good friends Bernard and Catherine, hence the name we came up with this horse.
"There are a couple of lucky numbers there. Bernard and Catherine's lucky number is 96 and that's the name of their stable anyway, and mine is 33 – I never miss it in roulette!"
Koh said the outermost alley (11) probably was a lengthening factor to his big odds, but A'Isisuhairi's initiative to begin a searching run around the field overcame that setback.
"I was taken aback by the wide draw, but Harry did well to drop back and let him run home instead of going up with the speed and chase," said Koh.
"He's a horse who will definitely get more ground – 1400m. We'll just enjoy the win today.
"I take this opportunity to thank Bernard and Catherine for the good cooperation and the good partnership. Besides this horse, they support me with a few other horses like Thomas De Lago, and Asia Spirit."
Phidias and Ninetysix Warrior are the other two racing under the Ninety Six Stable banner with only the latter still a maiden.
