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When Singaporean trainer Kuah Cheng Tee said he “had a lot of time” for Winning Hobby, it turned out he meant it quite literally.

On Thursday morning, the former jockey was seen riding the US-bred one-time winner in a barrier trial himself – a rare sight for any trainer, ex-jockey or otherwise, albeit allowed under the Malayan Racing Association rules as long as the stipes have ascertained the required level of riding ability.

One has to dig quite deep in the archives to see the name "CT Kuah" on the barrier trials list as a rider.

Kuah, who still jumps on his horses at trackwork, revealed the last time was around 10 years ago when he was still assistant-trainer to Mok Zhan Lun.

There is no manpower crisis in the house, he reassured. The consummate horseman just felt it was time to get back into that 1000m-hitout mode.

"I used to ride in trials when I was still with (Hideyuki) Takaoka. I also had a few runs as B-trainer with Mok," said Kuah, who rode 38 winners as a jockey in the late 90s until 2003.

"Somehow, I stopped riding in trials when I got my trainer's licence (in 2016), but I've always wanted to do it again one day.

"It gives me a better feel of the horse, especially in terms of their fitness level. I rode Winning Hobby and Household Dynasty today, and I can tell you Winning Hobby is still not fit.

"He had a left knee spur surgery and he is still some way from a racing comeback. He led but he could not keep up and finished a long last (to Our Showcase) in the end.

"Household Dynasty has run only four times and ran second at his last start. He took it easy today and I hope he can improve this year."

Clad in his own purple heart on silver silks, Kuah was actually seen blowing a little after he jumped off Household Dynasty. He copped a fair bit of ribbing about his fitness, but the 44-year-old handler would have none of that.

"I was fitter than Winning Hobby this morning, I could have ridden another three trials!" he quipped.