3 minute read
Four wins in as many rides is a record not many horse-jockey combinations have bragging rights to, but Simon Kok Wei Hoong and Augustano do, even if Kok said the longer the run goes, the harder it gets to maintain it.
The current runaway leader in the Singapore apprentice jockey's premiership can't really explain how they click other than the Lee Freedman-trained Hard Spun five-year-old "runs for him".
All he knows is that he will again run his heart out in Friday night's $85,000 Class 2 race over 1200m, especially from the plum draw in barrier No 2. The four wins have all been sealed either by leading or sitting handy.
Whether the 100% strike rate can stay intact remains to be seen, but to Kok, it was not his biggest test to-date.
Only one hurdle stands in the way, he said: Triple Group 3 winner Bold Thruster. After narrowly going down to stablemate Countofmontecristo in the Group 2 Merlion Trophy (1200m) on Polytrack, a surface he does not particularly like, the son of Turffontein will be hard to toss second-up, back on turf.
But with Bold Thruster drawing barrier No 13, Kok feels that could bring his undoing - and his mount back in with a chance.
"He's running in a very good race today, but I don't think it's his toughest test," said Kok who despite being only 23, is known to thoroughly do his homework.
"He ran in the Group 3 race (JBBA Rocket Man Sprint over 1200m) and better horses beat him then. He got well beaten (ninth) by Bold Thruster. I didn't ride him then, Iskandar (Rosman) did.
"Bold Thruster will again be in Friday's race and he'll be the horse to beat. But he's drawn wide while we have drawn a good barrier (two) which is a big advantage.
"We can either lead or race handy. If Bold Thruster gets a tough run, then we'll have a better chance, but don't forget he's also improved after one run."
The modest jockey dismissed any notion that Augustano would not have scored at those four wins if someone else was on board.
To him, it's just down to a "connection".
"He's actually a pretty easy ride, he's a forward type of horse, but I guess I just know how to ride him," he said.
"He and I seem to have a good connection. He runs for me, especially from the top of the straight, every time it looks like he has a fight on his hands, he just keeps finding for me, he just seems to fight better.
"Maybe he loves the way I ride him, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't have won with someone else. He's a very honest horse and even though the field is strong, I hope he can win again."
Owned by Thai outfit King Power Stable, Augustano current boasts a handy record of eight wins and five placings from 22 starts.
Without underestimating the likes of Webster, Sacred Croix and Nimble even if to him, Bold Thruster is the main danger, Kok is confident his horse won't be far when the whips are cracking - and if that charmed run continues, then a fifth win may well happen for total earnings that will inch even closer to the half-million mark.
