Search

show me:

Kok enjoys Happy Moment with double

3 minute read

Singaporean trainer David Kok had a day out with a rare double when Happy Moment and Dimesso saluted on Sunday.

Of the two, $11 favourite Dimesso 's stroll in the $20,000 Open Maiden race (1200m) was the one that was more expected. Happy Moment's win at $32 in the Class 4 Division 2 race (1100m) was harder to fathom, but certainly not implausible based on his previous handy form as Count Me In – three wins, including a meritorious fourth to Inferno in the Group 2 Aushorse Golden Horseshoe (1200m) in 2019.

HAPPY MOMENT winning the CLASS 4
HAPPY MOMENT winning the CLASS 4 Picture: Singapore Turf Club

Still, Kok thought the Showcasing five-year-old might be a little ring-rusty since he was returning from hoof issues, but he said the advantageous conditions of the race played into their hands.

Coming from well off the pace, Happy Moment (A'Isisuhairi Kasim) just had to change course behind the fighting pair of Wonderful Knight (Danny Beasley) and Winning Spirit (Simon Kok Wei Hoong) as he went in search of a clear run.

There was no second-guessing which way he was headed once he was in full flight. Wonderful Knight boxed on for second place 1 ½ lengths behind, with a big gap of 3 ¼ lengths on Winning Spirit in third place. The winning time was 1min 4.48secs for the Polytrack 1100m.

DIMESSO winning the OPEN MAIDEN
DIMESSO winning the OPEN MAIDEN Picture: Singapore Turf Club

"This horse (Happy Moment ) had some hoof issues after his last run (March 27 when a one-paced seventh to Prosperous Return in a Class 4 race over 1400m), so I gave him time to recover," he said.

"I thought he would need the run, but then the rain came and the 50kgs helped him, too. The field was quite weak and I think he was also very fresh.

"We'll take him race by race. Fingers crossed he pulls up okay."

Kok said Dimesso was not without his share of veterinarian challenges as well. The Singapore Derby-winning trainer said he rated the four-year-old rig by Dissident given he personally purchased him with Real Efecto as yearlings two years ago, but a health setback put him behind.

"Dimesso is a nice horse that I bought at the Inglis Yearling sale for A$37,000, together with Real Efecto that I got for a bit higher, A$42,000," he recalled.

"But Dimesso got some stomach ulcers, which was very bad. That's why I had to spell him, and luckily, he's recovered and come back good.

"A big thank you to the owners, other than me, who have a share in him. They have been very patient.

"He won very well today. I will find another suitable race for him, and I think Polytrack suits him better."

As for Dimesso, he just made a mess of his rivals. In the driving seat from the get-go, he held Great Hero (Koh Teck Huat) on his outside before exploding away to an easy win upon cornering.

The well-backed Walim (Hakim Kamaruddin) barely put an indent into the margin 4 ¼ lengths astern with Lim's Hopefully (Beasley) third another 1 ¼ lengths away. The winning time was 1min 11.96secs for the Polytrack 1200m.

With that maiden success, Dimesso has now made around $15,000 in prizemoney for connections while the more exposed Happy Moment has brought in more stakes, close to $120,000.

Previously owned by Mauritian owner Stephen Tin, Happy Moment now races in the blue silks of Mr Sia Wei Kiang, who is also the owner of Happy Friday with trainer Young Keah Yong.

The double takes Kok to 13 winners, a very decent score compared to his previous quiet seasons.


Singapore Turf Club

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au