By Larry Foley, STC
Five months after he last rode at Kranji, popular Malaysian jockey Simon Kok Wei Hoong will return to Singapore racing with four rides this Saturday, including the Jason Ong-trained October in the $150,000 Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1400m).
Kok has not been seen at the races here since 11 November last year when he finished an eye-catching fifth on the Daniel Meagher-trained Saturno Spring in the Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup (2000m).
The two-time Singapore champion apprentice jockey in 2019 and 2020 then took a leave of absence with a French sojourn, similar to a previous working holiday he enjoyed after the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
This time, however, Kok combined both business and pleasure with not only the opportunity to make his riding debut in France, but also the chance to hold his belated wedding ceremony and enjoy a honeymoon with French wife, Lola.
“We officially got married in Singapore in May 2022 but only celebrated with both our families in Avignon (Lola’s hometown in France) on 15 December (2023),” said Kok, who finished ninth on last year’s jockeys’ log on 27 wins.
“We then spent two months in Europe on our honeymoon before I started riding trackwork for (trainer) Jerome Reynier in Calais.
“He (Reynier) is one of the leading trainers in France and won the (Group 1) Dubai Turf (1800m) with Facteur Cheval in (30) March.
“I learned a lot from working at his stables and it was a big thrill for me to ride for him in two races in Nimes (Hippodrome racecourse) in (24) March.
“I came third on both Kharamazov and Ludden Lass and it (race riding) was something I really wanted to do in France. It was very fulfilling.
“It was hard in France with the language and travel as I lived over an hour away from the stables but I loved my time there.”
After both a break and a dream fulfilled in France for the four-time Group winning hoop, he was quick to answer the call when the opportunity to ride again in Singapore presented itself.
“When (manager of the Falcon Racing Stable) Eric (Koh) asked me to come back and ride their horses, I was more than happy to,” said Kok, who rode Big Hearted to victory in the 2020 Singapore Gold Cup for the same connections.
“Things were a little rushed. I only arrived last Thursday, had my medical check-up done on Friday and got permission to ride trackwork on Monday afternoon.
“But it’s great to be back and I’m planning to stay until the end (5 October) and hopefully have a good ride in the last (Singapore) Gold Cup.
“The Falcon (Racing Stable’s) horses are going well and I’m looking forward to riding October (x Ocean Park) in their colours in the (Singapore 3YO) Classic on Saturday.
“I rode him in a (barrier) trial last year (ran fifth in trial no 1 on 28 September) but haven’t ridden him in a race.
“But I have watched his recent runs and his win (in a Restricted Maiden race on 27 January) was over this trip (1400m). I thought he had excuses last start (finished eighth in a Novice race over 1400m on 17 March).
“He’s moved stables too (previously trained by Stephen Gray) and the change in environment and routine can improve horses.
“This field looks strong with Lim’s Bighorn, Bakeel and Ace Of Diamonds, but I think October has plenty of upsides.”
Kok has also done his homework on three other rides on Saturday, namely February in the $50,000 Inferno 2020 Stakes, a Class 4 race (1400m), Fighter in the $30,000 Top Knight 2019 Stakes, a Class 5 Division 1 race (2000m) and Dancing Light in the $70,000 Debt Collector 2016 Stakes, a Class 3 race (1200m). He would be glad if any of them can add on to his win tally since he last won with Hasten on 20 August last year.
“Fighter (x Lord Kanaloa) is dropping in Class which will suit him,” he continued.
“I won on him when he won his only race in Singapore (in a Class 4 race over 2000m on 8 October 2022) and that was my birthday!
“February (x Sacred Falls) is interesting. He has no blinkers over 1400m on Saturday but will be better over longer and the (Group 1 Singapore) Derby (over 1800m on 21 July) will be his aim.
“Dancing Light (x Street Boss) did it tough from the wide gate (10) and placed last start (in a Class 3 race over 1000m on 6 April) in this grade, so hopefully, he goes well from barrier four.”
Kok was also looking forward to being reunited with one of his favourite horses, Tiger Roar, in the Group 1 Kranji Mile (1600m) on 18 May.
“It will be great to ride him (Tiger Roar) again,” said Kok, who won the Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) on the son of Wandjina for ex-Kranji trainer Michael Clements in 2021.
“(Trainer) Daniel looked to have him going very well and he (Tiger Roar) has such a big heart. I still believe he is the horse he was.”
