3 minute read

Friday night’s penultimate race hatched a bit of a surprise when outsider Yaya Papaya lowered the boom of the hot favourite Rocket Star.

A facile winner at his last start in a Class 4 race over 1400m when resuming from a two-month let-up, Rocket Star (Vlad Duric) was rated an outstanding chance to repeat the feat in the $50,000 Class 4 race, especially with another 200m to lap up.

But down the home straight, Rocket Star, who had to sweat on a run through a sea of horses, was not mustering the same kick he displayed first-up.

Meanwhile, Yaya Papaya  (Ruan Maia, $64), had come off a less taxing trip to pinch a cheeky break on the hotpot. Although the Nadeem five-year-old was victorious over the same course and distance at his last start three weeks ago, not many would have backed him against Rocket Star when the latter finally got into the clear and started to mow him down.

With Vlad Duric whacking away, Ricardo Le Grange's chestnut whittled down the margin and lunged at the post, but just missed by a short head, outwitted by a horse whose very local moniker (means arrogant in Malay) never fails to bring a smile.

It certainly had that effect on a beaming Leslie Khoo, who has now saddled the Happy Stable-owned gelding to five wins, four of them recorded over the mile.

"The tactics were a bit different from his last-start win," said the former top jockey.

"Last time, he sat on the outside and won, but this time I told the jockey to keep him on the rails if possible, but to come out on the outside.

"The jockey rode him very well."

Maia has now forged a perfect partnership of two wins in as many rides aboard Yaya Papaya.

"I'm very happy to get my second win on this horse. I know him better after the last win, I know what he can do," said the Brazilian jockey, who is currently riding on the crest of a wave, having now rung up his 11th winner to sit in second place to Vlad Duric (20 wins).

"I'd like to thank Leslie for supporting me and giving me such opportunities. Hopefully, he'll give me more rides."

Strong N Powerful (John Powell) momentarily flirted with victory when he came with a slashing run on the outside, but had to settle for third place another three-quarter length away. The winning time was 1min 35.66secs for the 1600m on the Long Course.

With that fifth win, along with nine placings in 35 starts, Yaya Papaya has proven to be a handy moneyspinner to connections, having racked up more than $260,000 in stakes.