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Noh Senari couldn’t believe his ears when he was asked if he could ride gun miler Countofmontecristo in the $800,000 Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1800m) this Sunday.

More so when the Singaporean jockey felt the unexpected call came at a time when he had slumped to another low point in his rollercoaster riding career.

Noh, 27, who has not won a 'black type' race yet, flew off the starting blocks at the start of the year, even topping the log in January and February.

But rides, let alone winners have dried up for the heavyweight rider from April onwards. He has slipped to sixth place, albeit still with a decent haul of 26 winners.

Restricted by his weight throughout a stop-and-start career that had always shown promise, but only soared for real in 2017 following a three-year hiatus, the powerful rider has made the most of the few opportunities he gets a leg-up on a good chance.

But when he was stood down from a sore back last Sunday, he thought luck had deserted him again - only to get that manna from heaven from Michael Clements' assistant-trainer Michael 'Chopsy' White on Tuesday.

"Last week, I was having another one of those moments when I thought things were not going my way again. I had a whiplash after Southern Wind played up with his head at trackwork last Saturday," said Noh.

"I haven't had an injury for a long time. On that night, I went jogging and I was fine, but the next morning, I woke up feeling like an old man.

"I thought I'd be okay and rode Amazing Man in the first race on Sunday, but then the pain came back. I had to be stood down as I wouldn't do justice to my remaining rides.

"I thought there goes my luck again, but then, things can go up and down so quickly in racing. I got a text from Chopsy on Tuesday, asking me if I was available for the QEII Cup…

"As I didn't have any ride, I said 'yes, of course', wondering what horse he had in mind for me. When he said Countofmontecristo, I was so surprised and excited.

"I tried to keep cool while Chopsy was on the line, but the moment he hung up, I was like 'yesss, let's do this!'.

"Luckily, my back was okay after I saw a chiropractor. I am now 100%.

"I've had a few rides in feature races before, but they weren't really strong chances. This is by far the best horse I'll ever ride in a Cup race, it's my best opportunity to win a Cup race."

After enduring a long run of outs – almost two years in 16 starts, all in Group races, bar one – albeit losing no admirers with his numerous placings, the Echoes Of Heaven six-year-old finally bounced back to the winner's circle in the Group 2 Merlion Trophy (1200m) on August 25 to ring up his eight win and fourth at Group level.

He was then ridden by Daniel Moor, who was, however, replaced by former three-time Singapore champion jockey Manoel Nunes in the Group 1 Raffles Cup (1600m), the first Leg of the Singapore Triple Crown series of which the QEII Cup is the second Leg.

Noh is aware that Countofmontecristo has changed partners more often than Hollywood celebrities – he will be Lucky No 13 – with Glen Boss the winningest rider on five wins, but keen as mustard to make his turn count, he has done his homework.

"I've watched his recent race replays, including his last win in the Merlion Trophy," said Noh.

"But his owner Mr Joe Giovanni told me to watch the race when Boss rode him from behind to run second (beaten a neck by Debt Collector in the Group 2 Chairman's Trophy in April).

"Honestly, I'm not too sure if the 1800m is too long for him but I think if we ride him quieter, he may finish off better. Anyway, I'll wait for Mr Clements' instructions.

"It's a tough race with many top-quality horses, but the good news is we've drawn a good gate in three. That should give us a sweet run.

"I wanted to ride him in trackwork, but Chopsy told me his track riders would take care of it and not to get too excited!

"But I'm not at all nervous. He's a good horse and I'll go out there and try my best.

"I'd be over the moon if he wins as it would be my first Group win, but even if he runs a place, I'd be super happy."

Noh has two rides on Friday, Come And Take All and Ninetysix Warrior, and two other rides on Sunday, High Street and Born To Win. He has singled out the latter in the $30,000 Stepitup 2015 Stakes, a Class 5 Division 2 race over 1400m, as his next best chance after the plum ride on Countofmontecristo to get back on the scoresheet since Taro San on August 25.

"Born To Win was super unlucky at his last start (Class 5 race over 1400m on October 6)," he said of the John O'Hara-trained maiden in seven starts.

"He got held up. I couldn't track behind good horses, no-one was improving, and when I finally got out, it was too late.

"The fact that he's drawn out (10) and we're on the Long Course will make it better for us this time."