By Sharon Zhang, Singapore Turf Club
I’m A Conqueror prevailed by a nose in a blanket finish to hand veteran jockey Saifudin Ismail his first winner of the year.
The Jason Lim-trained gelding followed closely behind $9 race favourite Olympia (Ronnie Stewart) in midfield while stablemate Samurai Express (Krisna Thangamani) led the small field of eight in the $30,000 Class 5 Division 2 race.
At the 250m, Olympia edged clear under Stewart’s urgings.The four-year-old son of Gingerbread Man looked all primed to get his first win, not only for himself, but also for Stewart who in five meetings, had yet to open his account at that Singapore comeback.
But Saifudin’s winless run stretched even longer this season – 80 rides finding no joy.
As I’m A Conqueror ($46) gained momentum down the centre of the straight under the Malaysian jockey’s persuader, Decreto (Mark Ewe) and High Limit (Wong Chin Chuen) would not let him get away.
Three horses pounced on the favourite, with I’m A Conqueror getting the upper hand by a nose. The second-placed Decreto and High Limit were separated by another nose. Olympia wilted late to finish another half-a-length away in fourth.
The winning time was 1min 06.97 secs on the Polytrack over 1100m.
Saifudin, 53, heaved a huge sigh of relief as he watched the replay on the Astrovision.
“I feel very relieved! I’m so lucky, we won by a nose,” said Saifudin, who boasts 35 years of experience in the saddle, dating back to the days when he started out at Bukit Timah in 1987.
From the Alamosa seven-year-old’s three wins over sprint, Saifudin was on board at his debut win three years ago when still under the care of ex-Kranji trainer David Hill.
The pair combined four more times, without success, until Sunday.
“I thought I would be stuck on the inside and could not get out,” said Saifudin, whose last winner was the Desmond Koh-trained Moongate Star in September last year.
“But luckily, my horse quickened up very fast and I got there in time.
“I haven’t ridden this horse for long time, though I was on him at his first win.
“He’s not an easy horse to ride. He was slightly slow at the start.
“But it’s a small field, and it’s not a very strong race. We trialled second (on April 5), so I thought he had a bit of chance today.
“I ride trackwork for (trainers) Jerome (Tan), (Hideyuki) Takaoka, Jason Lim and Alwin Tan every morning.
“I’m the oldest jockey around here now, but I still enjoy riding horses.
“As long as I am fit to ride, I will keep on riding.”
Winning trainer Jason Lim was glad he provided the first winner to the father of four.
“I’m very happy Saifudin won his first winner for the year,” said the Singaporean handler who was leading in his seventh winner of the season.
“We just wanted him to sit where he is comfortable in this small field.
“He was very strong to the line.”
I’m A Conqueror has taken his record to four wins and one second from 30 starts for total stakes earnings edging closer to the $80,000 mark for the Blazing Expectations No 2 Stable.
