After honing his craft in New Zealand in the last two years, apprentice jockey Ruzaili Yatim will be seen donning his racing breeches back at Kranji on Friday.
The Singaporean lad was sent to Christchurch trainer Neill Ridley in March 2016 to gain further riding experience under the Singapore Turf Club overseas training scheme for apprentice jockeys.
Better known by his nickname “Smiley”, both in Singapore and New Zealand, Ruzaili did rather well with nine winners all-up in the Land of the Long White Cloud, but had to recently cut short his stay to sort out some pressing family matters in Singapore.
Ruzaili Yatim after dismounting from Kate's Keeper at the Thursday barrier trials, picture Singapore Turf Club
“I was quite sad to leave New Zealand as I was doing quite well there. I had nine winners, including a fairly big race with a mare called Flying Sardine for trainer Kelvin Tyler,” said Ruzaili.
“My boss Mr Ridley was very happy with the way I had improved and wanted me to stay there at Riccarton Park at least till my contract is up in May.
“He said he was keen to see me develop further. But I said I had to come home to take care of some family issues, and told him that I might go back there one day.”
A winner of seven races at Kranji, all for his master Stephen Gray, before he headed to New Zealand, Ruzaili is now keen to re-establish himself among the riding ranks at his old stomping ground.
“I came back here around two months ago and of course, I had to meet Mr Gray again just to double confirm I still had a job with him,” said the 29-year-old.
“I’m very grateful he took me back. The next day, I started riding trackwork for him.
“The last time I rode in a race in New Zealand was back in December. Obviously, my weight has gone up a little as you tend to eat a lot with the cold there.
“But I should drop down to my riding weight with more rides, and I’m sure my fitness level will also improve.
“As a jockey, I feel I am more patient in my riding and I also have more confidence in my ability.”
Ruzaili said that he knew his Kranji comeback ride Destiny Knight quite well as he remembered him when he just started his first prep in early 2016. The son of former Singapore Gold Cup winner Recast runs in Friday’s opener, the $20,000 Countofmontecristo 2017 Stakes Class 5 race over 1400m.
Ruzaili Yatim strapping Destiny Knight two years ago. They will combine in Friday's Race 1, picture Singapore Turf Club
“He’s a horse who needs a mile, but he is dropping back in class, so you never know,” said Ruzaili whose last Kranji win came on June 5, 2015 aboard Bankers Call for Gray.
“I’d like to thank the boss for giving me a ride tomorrow, and I hope to get more support in the future.”
Gray was rapt he was getting another extra pair of hands that have had some polish overseas. Just recently, Amirul Ismadi returned to his yard from a similar but shorter Tasmanian stint, and has already booted home two winners, albeit for two other trainers.
“Smiley has come back a better rider. It’s encouraging for kids like him who have come through the STAR (Singapore Training Academy for Racing) programme,” said the Kiwi handler.
“The Club is going in the right direction with apprentice jockeys by sending them overseas for more experience. The riding master Damien Kinninmont, the chief stipe Peter Chadwick, and the Racing and Stipendiary departments have done a good job and are really striving to get a good system for our boys.
“Even if they don’t become champion jockeys one day, when they retire, they can still stay in the industry as stable supervisor or assistant-trainer and have a good career.”
Abdul Syahir is another former New Zealand-based apprentice jockey who will resume riding at Kranji soon while the remaining Singapore apprentice jockeys who are still based there are Firdhaus Rafi and Khalid Hairi Marzuki. It is understood Khalid will finish up in April while Firdhaus is due back at Kranji in September.
