It may have been just a modest $35,000 Class 5 Division 2 race over 1200m, but apprentice jockey Ng Choon Kiat could barely hide his delight after he steered Magic Paint to an easy win in that event on Sunday.
Mark Walker’s apprentice jockey has endured a long barren run that stretches as far back as March 20, 2016 when he scored aboard his master’s Star Genius.
For some reason, Ng had not been able to find the line since, but the Singaporean rookie did not lose faith in his ability, just kept chipping away until Leslie Khoo’s call-up to take the ride aboard Magic Paint put him back in the limelight.
Magic Paint (Ng Choon Kiat) pulls away to an easy win.
Ng’s second place on the Gorky Park four-year-old back in December last year was no doubt a factor in the second booking – and eventually a major factor towards his maiden win.
Well ridden by Ng, Magic Paint ($30) settled outside Lion Wave (Shafrizal Saleh) from the start before going for broke when homeward-bound. Without looking back, Ng pushed his mount right out, quickly leaving behind a widening gap that stopped at just under three lengths on the line.
Across The Sea (Derreck David) again sprang onto the scene when it was all over to run second for the third time in a row, with Greenback (Amirul Ismadi) third another gap of three lengths away. The winning time was 1min 13.18secs for the 1200m on Polytrack.
“I haven’t ridden a winner for almost a year. It’s about time I got one,” said Ng who has been sporting a blonde hairdo for a while now.
“A big thank you to Mr Khoo for putting me on this horse. I ran second on Magic Paint before and I know him quite well.
“Mr Khoo told me to race him handy and though he was one-off, he was always travelling well. I pinched a big break at the top of the straight and he just kept going without weakening.”
Interestingly, Ng has never won a race for any trainer other than Walker at his previous 10 wins (six last year and four in 2015, his debut year), with Khoo the first to change that trend.
“It’s the first time I win for another trainer,” said Ng.
“My confidence is back, and I hope that win will give me opportunities from other trainers as well.”
A former jockey himself, Khoo who has supported Ng a few times in the past, was also pleased the 28-year-old had broken the deadlock, especially on one of his horses.
“I’m happy for CK. He can ride and he deserved to get a winner after such a long time,” said Khoo.
“Magic Paint has been running well without winning. I told CK to ride him more positive today and it’s worked out well.”
