3 minute read
Simon Kok Wei Hoong and Fame Star kept up a 100% record after they made it two from two on Friday night.
Successful at his first jump on the US-bred speedster by Twirling Candy in a Class 4 race over 1200m on August 9, Singapore's leading apprentice jockey was again right on target in Friday's $70,000 Class 3 Division 2 race over 1200m.
While the four-year-old sat handy outside the leader at that first win with Kok, the pair took the outright lead this time around, proving in the end to be too nippy for their 11 rivals.
Favourite Muraahib (Patrick Moloney) did come chipping away at the margin when Fame Star took off in the home straight, but he was safely held at bay by three parts of a length on the line. Super Smart (Benny Woodworth) ran third another 1 ¾ lengths away.
Punted down to $24, Fame Star ran the 1200m on the Polytrack in 1min 10.36secs and has now taken his record to four wins and two thirds from 13 starts for prizemoney close to the $250,000 mark for the Toast Trusts & Kadima Stable.
"He's a nice and beautiful horse who is much more improved now," said the Ipoh-born Kok, who cut his teeth on showjumpers first before switching to horse racing.
"He did pull hard, but once he was alone in front, he was able to take a breather and quicken up later.
"He's very easy to ride. He's got good gate speed and puts himself in a good position early.
"I just had to cuddle him up from that point onwards."
With Kok having now brought up his 40th winner, his claim is reduced from three kilos to two kilos from Monday.
Winning trainer John O'Hara's assistant-trainer Stephen Crutchley said Muraahib was a thorn in their side they could have done without, but Fame Star luckily did not let them down.
"I was worried about the horse behind. He is a very good horse, but our horse is very good, too," said the Kiwi horseman.
"He was up five kilos, but it was probably a good thing. I've actually been trying to get him to put some weight on.
"The plan was to go forward as he's got such good natural gate speed, and to then hold the speed.
"(US-based Singaporean-born bloodstock agent) Melvin Ezekiel, who sold him to us, told us he is a typical American speed horse who will suit Singapore. He's quick out of the gates and that suits the racing here."
