International rider Karis Teetan showed he was not in Singapore for a holiday after he got on the board at his very first ride in the opening race to the undercard of the $1.5 million Group 1 Kranji Mile (1600m) on Saturday.
Riding US-bred and $18 favourite Big Wave for local trainer Kuah Cheng Tee in the $45,000 Infantry 2017 Stakes, a Class 4 Non Premier race over 1400m, the Hong Kong-based Mauritian jockey did not lose his composure when Waialae (Craig Grylls) kicked clear at the 300m, biding his time for an opening between runners before letting rip.
Big Wave, who had been prepared for the third Leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge, the $1 million Group 1 Singapore Guineas (1600m), quickened up once he found a split to go and score by a neck from the fast-finishing Dusseldorf (Wong Chin Chuen) with Waialae settling for third place another half-a-length away. The winning time was 1min 23.4secs for the 1400m on the Long Course.
Big Wave holds off Dusseldorf (Wong Chin Chuen) to hand visiting jockey Karis Teetan a first win in the opener. Picture Singapore Turf Club
Teetan, who is booked for another seven rides, including his three Group 1 missions, Horse Of Fortune for Hong Kong in the Kranji Mile, Rafaello in the $1 million Lion City Cup and Nova Vocal in the Guineas, could not have hoped for a better warm-up ride.
“A big thank you to the Club for picking up some rides for me, and a thank you to Gareth Pepper for helping me with the rides,” said Teetan who had his girlfriend Xaviere and Mauritian family by his side at the winner’s circle.
“This will build my confidence up towards the big races later.
“The horse did not show a lot of speed early. I had to dig him up and he travelled a bit better later.
“He then ran out of room in the straight, but I was not under too much pressure as I know I still had a lot of horse underneath me.
“As soon as he got through a gap, he responded very well for a very nice win.”
Kuah said it was the steady build-up Big Wave had come under in his bid towards a loftier target that was the clincher.
“I had this horse ready for the Guineas, but unfortunately, he couldn’t get in,” said the Singaporean handler.
“He was fit and ready and I expected a good run from him. It’s great for the owners who are from Hong Kong and are very supportive of Singapore races, they are all here today.
“I’m also glad Teetan rode a first winner for me. It’s partly because the owner is from Hong Kong that we got him on the horse and it’s worked out great.”
A son of Blame, Big Wave was recording his second win from nine starts for stakes money that are now closing in on the $90,000 mark.
