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You Rokk springs big surprise

3 minute read

Lee Freedman’s Australian import You Rokk sent punters reeling after he landed a $224 boilover win in the $85,000 Class 2 race over 1200m on Sunday.

You Rokk winning the CLASS 2
You Rokk winning the CLASS 2 Picture: Singapore Turf Club

With Freedman currently in Australia, stable supervisor Chihiro Iizuka said that the Artie Schiller entire known as Maximus in Sydney when trained by Peter and Paul Snowden was overweight at his Kranji debut in a Class 2 race over 1200m on October 20.

With You Rokk  being a relative newcomer, the question whether enough fat has been taken off his girth could not be fully answered, but going with what they saw with the naked eye took a lot out of the guesswork.

"His first run was awful, he had too much weight then. The boss has put in more work in him, and we thought his body weight was better this time (518kg)," said Iizuka.

"We were hoping for an improved run today as the boss always thought that first run did not show us what he can really do.

"As we don't really know the horse, Lee called the rider (apprentice jockey Nizar Mohammad) this morning and told him to ride him where comfortable."

Saimee Jumaat's apprentice jockey jumped off looking as stunned as most of the people around, but was above all rapt with the way this second season has panned out.

The late-maturing apprentice has slowly but surely been building up on his promising start to his career last year (two winners from 21 rides). You Rokk was bringing up his fifth win for 2019.

"It's a big shock the horse won. It's unbelievable," said Nizar who was at his first booking for the Singapore champion trainer.

"I have to thank Mr Freedman for the opportunity, it's my first ride for him and it's a winner.

"The light weight (50kgs) helped a lot, too. He jumped good and was on the bit and relaxed.

"I just waited for clear run in the straight and he ran on very well."

After coursing out four wide for most of the way, You Rokk emerged as the horse who could upstage them all when he made a beeline to the winning post upon straightening.

Stablemate Muraahib (Juan Paul van der Merwe) tested him on his nearside late but had to settle for second place 1 ¼ lengths away with Lim's Dream (Chin Chee Seng) third another length away. The winning time was 1min 11.07secs for the 1200m on the Polytrack.

You Rokk, who made around A$213,000 in Australia from his handy record of five wins and seven placings from 19 starts, has opened his local account with a first pay cheque of around $45,000. His Australian owner Tony Torcasio is better remembered back home for his Group 1 Australian Cup winner Super Cool (had Michael Rodd up that day).


Singapore Turf Club

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