By Sharon Zhang
Trainer David Kok could not contain his excitement after outsider Smart Star stormed home to get up by a neck in the $1.38 million Group 1 Grand Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) on Saturday.
That thrilling win from the six-year-old son of Star Witness not only handed the Singaporean trainer his first Singapore Gold Cup victory, but also gave visiting jockey Muzi Yeni his first win in Singapore.
Meanwhile, long-time racegoers would also have been enchanted by the famous dark blue and yellow stripes silk the moment the $164 shot turned giant killer in the final 100m in the iconic handicap feature. That neck-win brought back memories of Smart Bet Stable’s top galloper, Smart Bet, taking out the 2002 Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup under a back-breaking 59kgs, albeit it was then run over 2200m.
Similar to how Smart Bet lifted in the final furlong to wear Thunderaway down 22 years ago, Smart Star had the reserves in his tank when it mattered.
While Pacific Vampire (Bruno Queiroz) showed plenty of toe upfront before further extending his lead to seven lengths in the field of 16 in the backstraight, Smart Star (Muzi Yeni) was happy to settle near the rear, albeit three-wide.
Although Pacific Vampire was brave at heart, his condition gave out once they turned for home in front of Kranji’s 10,000-strong crowd. The Jason Ong-trained galloper blew out quickly but cheers were erupting at the Grandstand as the well-supported Lim’s Saltoro (Wong Chin Chuen), favourite Lim’s Kosciuszko (Marc Lerner), Dream Alliance (Manoel Nunes) and Istataba (Carlos Henrique) made their final assaults at the 300m.
Group 1 Raffles Cup winner (1800m) Lim’s Saltoro did his best to fend off the trio but he had not reckoned with Smart Star, a proven stayer who had four wins, including one over the 10 furlongs previously. Under Yeni’s vigorous riding on the outside, the $164 long shot exploded onto the scene late and denied Lim’s Saltoro of a win by a neck.
Mare Istataba ran third another length away while Dream Alliance had to settle for fourth another one-and-one-quarter lengths away. Kranji’s kingpin Lim’s Kosciuszko, who shouldered the top weight of 58kgs, was gallant in defeat after he finished another half a length away in fifth.
The winning time was 2 min 0.45secs for the 2000m on the Short Course.
Though a fairytale ending was not meant to be in the Grand Singapore Gold Cup after Smart Star outstayed the Daniel Meagher-trained pair of Lim’s Kosciuszko and Lim’s Saltoro to land the spoils, the Australian handler showed great sportsmanship by being one of the first to congratulate Kok at the post-race interview. Unlike most of the racegoers, both old and new, who were surprised by the win from the 50kgs lightweight chance, Kok was positive Smart Star had place claims.
“I know my horse has ability and he can stay,” said Kok, who has won three other Group 1 races, namely the 2013 Panasonic Kranji Mile (1600m) with Cash Luck and the 2016 Emirates Singapore Derby (1800m) and the 2016 Patron’s Bowl (1600m) with Well Done.
“I always wanted to win (the Singapore Gold Cup), and finally, I won the last one.
“I knew my horse is in very good condition and he could be a top three finish. I was also hoping for a bit of rain and when it didn’t, I was a bit worried.
“I told him (Yeni) to ride him where he’s comfortable and to start sprinting just before coming into the straight.
“I was very confident he (Smart Star) could run well in the straight, but at the 200m, I thought he could catch the leader (Lim’s Saltoro). He did it!
“I thank my friend Michael Lee (Racing Editor from The Straits Times), who suggested to me to bring Muzi Yeni.
“I also want to thank all my staff because they are very hardworking.
“Last but not least, I must also thank the owners like Smart Bet Stable, Pacific Stable and Royal Sabah Turf Club as well as all my other owners because without their support, we wouldn’t have winners.
“He (Smart Star) will go to Kuala Lumpur with me and I will get my stable (at Selangor Turf Club) up and running in November.”
The Grand Singapore Gold Cup winning trio: (second from left) jockey Muzi Yeni, owner Mr Eugene Lim and trainer David Kok shares a winning photo with Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore, Mr Seah Kian Peng (left).
South African “pocket dynamo” Yeni, who rode in Singapore six years ago at two meetings, including the inaugural Premier Gateway International Jockeys Challenge at Kranji, was glad he accepted the invitation to come to Singapore.
“Getting my first win in Singapore felt awesome. The racing (atmosphere) in this country is crazy, even if I also felt a bit sad knowing that’s the last race,” said the amiable jockey, who finished unplaced at his previous five races on Saturday.
“I didn’t expect that fast pace. We sat outside and he put himself well and in touch in the race.
“He’s very fresh. We sat three deep, but I tried my best to get a clean break and the pace just suited him to the ground.
“I pounced at the top of the straight and at the 150m, I rolled to the front.
“I’m flying out on Monday at 3am and I want to try to win the South African jockeys’ premiership.
“You don’t come and ride if you don’t believe in it. I chose to come, so I’ve got to believe I can win it. I needed a winner and I’m so happy I got it.”
Smart Star’s fifth win in 25 starts has taken his earnings to close to $910,000 for the Smart Bet Stable.
