3 minute read

New kids on the training block Richard Lim and Stephen Crutchley were both given the nod to train from January 1, 2022, but up to now it’s only the former who has saddled his first runners at Kranji.

The New Zealand-born Crutchley has not yet got off the starting block even though he had been slated to take over 12 horses, mostly from trainer Leslie Khoo, for a start before kicking on with 20 new recruits in the course of the year.

But an online check on his stable returned a blank. Not a single horse has yet to be registered under his name as the trainer.

Invariably, the 54-year-old was not in a position to enter any horse at the four meetings already gone past in January while Lim has already filed four runners up to now, albeit with no winners yet, but a close second, Songgong Hera at his first day at the office on January 15.

Crutchley reassured racegoers there was no reason to worry, as it was just an administrative delay due to expatriates needing a longer time for their paperwork to get sorted before they can hit the ground running.

"As a foreigner, it takes a longer time for my work permit to be changed whereas Richard is a Singaporean, not forgetting he had applied for a licence two years ago, and had already formed his company, so he had a headstart on me," said Crutchley, who trained 115 winners in New Zealand in 12 years and also dabbled in bloodstock sales.

"I had to form a company as soon as I got my licence and my boxes, and that takes time. But I'm glad to report the company is formed and is well underway.

"Once it's through, I will shift my horses to 'The Village' (non-air-conditioned stabling block down the bottom) and should be able to have my first runners at the first meeting (February 13) after the Chinese New Year."

Crutchley is no doubt chomping at the bit, but for now, he can at least get a good guide on one of his future wards' form this Saturday.

"Proof Perfect  is half-a-chance (in the $50,000 Class 4, 1100m). Leslie (Khoo) has kept him in good shape," he said.

"It was actually the plan to have Proof Perfect as my first runner, but with the hold-up, he had to run under Leslie this Saturday."