By Sharon Zhang
Kranji racegoers will see one more familiar name pop up on Sunday’s race card, but the now Seoul-based jockey A’Isisuhairi Kasim will ride for only one day at the $300,000 Group 1 Raffles Cup (1600m) meeting.
Better known as “Harry”, the Malaysian hoop took up a jockey’s licence at the Korean Racing Association in South Korea alongside fellow hoop Wong Chin Chuen since mid-February before both made their racing debuts in Seoul on 2 March. Harry, who last rode in Singapore on 11 February, has now chalked up 20 wins with his most recent win coming aboard the An Byung Ki-trained Mr Quality in a Class 3 race (1600m) on 27 July.
While Wong decided to relinquish his licence last month after five months of testing the waters in South Korea and return to Singapore to see out the remaining nine meetings at Kranji, Harry had planned for a return to the Lion City two months ago, albeit more so to visit his family during Seoul’s racing break this week.
“There’s a one-week break in Seoul with no races this weekend, so I took the chance to come back and visit my family. I’d booked my flights two months ago for this short visit,” said the two-time Singapore champion apprentice jockey after his Raffles Cup ride, Mr Black Back, won a barrier trial on Tuesday.
“But I knew there’s a Group 1 race this Sunday, so I also told a few trainers I’d be here, hoping to pick up a few rides.
“I know it’s not easy because I haven’t been here for a while, but I was lucky to get the chance to ride Mr Black Back for my old boss, (trainer) Steven (Burridge).
“I’ve been there (in Seoul) for five-and-a-half months since mid-February, so it’s good to be back to see old faces. I missed the turf track too.
“I don’t know how many more chances I’ll get to ride here before the place closes (last meeting on 5 October), so I’ll enjoy myself at the races.”
After a quick getaway, Burridge’s former apprentice jockey kept the seven-year-old son of Snitzel under a good hold in the lead while the one other runner, the Tan Kah Soon-trained Navy Seals (Marc Lerner) trailed him in the run. Both runners had a soft gallop towards the line in that order before Mr Black Back won in a slow time of 1 min 4.92secs.
Harry, who rode the stayer once and won in a Class 2 race over the mile in June last year for his ex-trainer Tim Fitzsimmons, said it was meant to be a stimulating trial for Mr Black Back. The Elite Performance Stable-owned gelding led all the way under jockey Manoel Nunes to score at his first start for Burridge in a Class 2 race (1600m) on 21 July.
“After Mr Black Back won his last race, Steven called me to ask if I had any rides in Raffles (Cup), but I didn’t, and he offered me the ride. I’m glad to ride him,” said Harry, who will also ride Bingo Master for trainer Jerome Tan and King’s Gambit and The Shadow for trainer Richard Lim on Sunday.
“Steven wanted an easy gallop for him because Mr Black Back can be a bit lazy on his own but also keen if he has a company. It was not a hard trial because the horse was already fit, so it was more to maintain his condition.
“He jumped good and wanted to be in front. He was strong on the bridle and had a good balance around the bend. Then, I gave him a click at the last furlong and he responded nicely. He came back in good shape and is happy and sound.
“This horse likes to be up there and once we get the momentum going, that’s how he can run his best, but I don’t think he has to lead outright.
“Hopefully everything goes well, and I can continue to ride him in the (Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II) QEII Cup (1800m) and the (Group 1) (Grand Singapore) Gold Cup (2000m).”
The QEII Cup will be held on 7 September while the Grand Singapore Gold Cup will be run on the last meeting on 5 October before racing in Singapore ceases to exist.
Harry will fly back to Seoul on 19 August but he will be joined by his wife Jannah, daughter Bibi Nayla Medina and son Zayyan Khan on the flight, albeit it was not a permanent move for his family yet.
“I will fly back on the 19th, but I don’t think I will be riding on next Sunday’s meeting (18 August) because I want to spend time with my family,” said Harry, who arrived in Singapore on Sunday night and began riding trackwork on Monday morning.
“My family will fly with me this time and stay in Korea for three weeks before they return in September. It’s always nice to have my loved ones beside me.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to ride in Seoul since this place (Kranji) is closing and we have to find a new base. It has been a good experience in Korea.
“I ride about eight to nine races a week and I’ve 20 wins so far. I will continue to ride there and let’s see what happens.
“(Jockey) Ruan (Maia) and his family (wife Erica Calheiros and daughter Isabella) arrived in Seoul last Friday I think and it’s good to have him there too.”
