Underrated jockey Erasmus Aslam was a hugely relieved man as he weighed in the winning jockey of the Lucky Last of Kranji’s eight-race programme on Friday night.

He was indeed entitled to feel a spring in his step, as he soaked in that win on Dragon Highness in the $60,000 Class 4 Division 2 race over 1100m, watching the replay on the giant infield screen with a big smile on his dial.

As he turned away to head to the jockeys’ room, he got a congratulatory kiss from Wendy Dean, wife of his former boss, ex-Kranji trainer Brian Dean, who had come rushing down the elevator to share that special moment.

Dragon Highness gives Erasmus Aslam his first 2017 win on Friday, picture Singapore Turf Club

“I could hear you screaming all the way from here as I hit the line,” joked Aslam.

“You would too, I was barracking for you so much!” quipped Wendy who was visiting Kranji from Bendigo, Victoria.

Dragon Highness’s trainer, the phlegmatic Mohd Yusof who was at a training double after winning with favourite Justice Fair earlier, would not be as mushy as Dean, but still walked over to shake Aslam’s hands.

“You deserved it. You worked hard for it,” said the veteran trainer.

The 39-year-old jockey had not experienced the sweet taste of victory since Lucky Sugar for trainer Kuah Cheng Tee back in October 26, then bringing up the last of his seven winners for the 2016 season.

Aslam said he somehow knew he would be hit by hard times after Dean left and he had to switch to freelance rider, but did not expect the going to get so tough.

“After Brian left, I joined Dan Meagher, and things were still okay. Then I decied to ride freelance, and it was still bearable,” he said.

“But it’s this year that things had gone from bad to worse after I was suspended in January (Eclair Fiesta for careless riding). The rides suddenly dried up and I was struggling.

“But I had to continue working hard as I have kids to feed. As a freelance, I have to go chasing for rides, but I hope this win will put me back on the map.”

Aslam said that Dragon Highness, a horse he rode two starts back when a closing fourth to Darc Bounty in a similar 1100m race, gave him greater confidence on Friday night with his improved racing demeanour.

“When I last rode him, he was off the bit and I had to niggle at him all the time,” he said.

“But tonight, he travelled so well and that’s why I didn’t want him to go early.”

Unwanted by punters, Dragon Highness ($119) was recording his second win from 16 starts but only his first for Yusof as he won his first race when prepared by Alwin Tan. He was trained at his first six starts by Theo Kieser.

With that second win, the Magic Albert five-year-old has brought home more than $110,000 in stakes earnings for his owner Tan Gim Guan.