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Another Kelantan youngster has cemented further the solid reputation the north-eastern Malaysian state has been building over recent years as a nursery of gifted riders.
Better known as Aiman, Hakim Kamaruddin (his registered riding name) is the latest in a long list of Kelantan-born jockeys to have made their mark at Kranji, following into the footsteps of the likes of A'Isisuhairi Kasim, Shafiq Rizuan, Mohd Zaki and Zuriman Zulkifli, to name a few.
The 22-year-old made a dream start to his riding career with a winner at only his second career ride – Try Mak Mak for his master Mark Walker – in the $30,000 Peace & Joy 2020 Stakes, a Class 5 Division 2 race over 1000m on New Year's Day on Wednesday.
Hakim's first ride on Bejewelled (also for Walker) had already given a glimpse of his ability as they finished third to Royal Pavilion in Race 3.
And there was no doubt from the way he punched Try Mak Mak ($41) from a wide alley (11) to tuck into a nice spot behind the speed with cover that Hakim was also blessed with that Kelantan touch.
The Makfi three-year-old, who ran out of the placings at his five previous runs, started to lengthen up once Hakim brought him into the clear down the Polytrack home straight.
Using the persuader twice, Hakim above all showed great poise in keeping his mount balanced up and flowing all the way to the winning post, finishing in advance of Make U Famous (Simon Kok Wei Hoong) by half-a-length with favourite Alaranch (Vlad Duric) third another 1 ¼ lengths away. The winning time was 1min 1.21secs for the 1000m on the Polytrack.
Speaking basic English, Hakim, however, made it a point to first give thanks to the people who were behind his success.
"I'm very happy I won my first race at my first day," said Hakim, who rode at a polo club in Kelantan before moving to Maynard's Kuala Lumpur yard two years ago.
"I rode this horse in trackwork, but I didn't really think he could give me my first win today. I'm very happy the boss gave me a very good horse and I say thank you to the boss, the owner and the Singapore Turf Club for giving me a licence.
"I've always liked horses. I don't have any relatives who are in racing, but my friend is a jockey, M Akmazaini, and it's (AM) Aizat (another jockey) who helped me get the job with Frank Maynard. I say a big thank you to them, too."
Walker has a high opinion of his new apprentice jockey, an impression which was reinforced further from the greenhorn's dexterity in navigating Try Mak Mak from a wide draw to a winnable position on Wednesday.
"Frank Maynard (trainer in Malaysia) rang me up one day and told me he had a boy he wanted to give an opportunity in Singapore," said Walker.
"So, to be fair, all the grounding was done with Frank. He is a good rider and will go through his grades.
"I really liked the way he jumped from the outside draw and got into a good position. Obviously, he's got a fair amount of ability."
On Try Mak Mak, Walker said the gelding needed more time to grow and hit his straps.
"He went through a growth stage and we had to back him off," he said.
"He's come back strengthened up and we're hoping he will now show better things than what he's shown so far. He's also bred to get more distance."
With that first win, Try Mak Mak has now racked up around $20,000 in stakes money for the Win Mak Mak No 2 Stable.
