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Thanks to a large extent to his good chemistry with topline gallopers Minister and Muraahib, A’Isisuhairi ‘Harry’ Kasim was always going to be a frontrunner to partner the duo prepared by former Kranji trainer Lee Freedman at their new campaigns, even if they now race under different regimes.

Both horses moved to Donna Logan first, but after four winless starts, Muraahib recently transferred to Singapore champion trainer Michael Clements.

With the pair trialling in the same heat on Tuesday, A'Isisuhairi couldn't, however, ride both.

Though the official listing had the lightweight jockey down to ride Muraahib, it was Minister he jumped on instead.

Changed to Clements' former apprentice jockey Shafrizal Saleh in the end, Muraahib ran a three-quarter-length second to Nowyousee (Noh Senari) while Minister was back in fourth just another neck away.

The finishing order between the two mattered little to A'Isisuhairi. While his level of commitment is on par for either, he was never in doubt which way he would swing at the trials.

"I know both horses well, but it was always Minister I was going to ride in the trial," said the former two-time Singapore champion apprentice jockey.

"He's not an easy horse to ride, and I wasn't going to let someone else ride him. (New owner) Kuldeep (Singh Rajput) was on hand at the trials for the first time to see Muraahib run, but I explained to him I had already committed to ride Minister.

"Kuldeep might be a new owner, but he's a gentleman and understood the situation. Besides, Muraahib is a straightforward horse anyone can ride whereas it was important for me to trial Minister."

The US-bred five-year-old by Street Sense is entered for the $1 million Group 1 Kranji Mile (1600m) on May 22.

A'Isisuhairi was the pilot at two of his three wins at Kranji, while he rode at one of the three wins recorded by Muraahib, a six-year-old by Reset who is also feature race-bound, towards the $300,000 Group 1 Lion City Cup (1200m) on April 24.

"I was only focused on Minister in the trial, but I know Muraahib trialled well, too," said A'Isisuhairi.

"Minister finished off all right considering he doesn't like the Polytrack and is not a 1000m horse. I'm quite happy with this horse.

"He travelled nicely and finished to the line. He did his job, he did what he had to do."

A'Isisuhairi could not ride Minister at his first-up run in a Class 2 race over 1200m on March 20 as he was already booked on Star Of Jupiter for Shane Baertschiger. With Logan's apprentice jockey Yusoff Fadzli up, Minister tried to work into the race from the 600m but petered out to run 10th to Lim's Lightning.

"Today was all about bringing his race fitness level up, making sure he's back in business," said A'Isisuhairi.

"Well done to Donna. She's done a great job to keep this horse very well.

"He has the right attitude. You can tell him to do what you want him to do.

"I would say he definitely needs another trial next week, one week before his next race."

With the Kranji Mile five weeks away, Logan has identified at least one lead-up race for the Thai outfit King Power Stable-owned gelding previously known as Bye Bye Hong Kong in the UK where he won three races between 1219m and 1640m under top trainer Andrew Balding's care, including the Listed Windsor Mile.

"It was a good trial today. He's a work in progress, his fitness level is better, but he'll still need another trial next week ahead of his next race, that Class 1 mile (April 24)," said the Kiwi handler.

"The 1200m was too short for him first-up, but he did make up a lot of ground. His next race will tell us much more, and whether he needs one more race before the Kranji Mile.

"He's a horse who takes plenty of work. It's hard to predict which way he's going.

"But Lee has been very forthcoming by giving us plenty of info on the horse before he left. Chi (Iizuka, Freedman's former stable supervisor, who now works for Mark Walker) also knows the horse very well and has also been forthcoming with ideas.

"The more minds come together, the better it is. It's always good to have past knowledge of a stable transfer."