French jockey Alexis Badel made sure he was not the only visiting jockey not to get on the scoresheet after he drove River Golden to a spirited win in the $80,000 Better Life 2012 Stakes, a Class 3 Division 2 race over 1200m on Saturday.

Earlier, the other two overseas jockeys Karis Teetan and Jason Collett had already saluted with Teetan riding a double with Big Wave and Hyde Park and Collett steering Auspicious Day home. Zac Purton later went on to snare two of the three Group 1 races set down for decision (see other reports).

The 28-year-old finished out of the placings at his first ride aboard Katagas in Race 5, but joined the club in the next race. 
 

River Golden (Alexis Badel) wears down Yulong Xiongyin (Benny Woodworth) to take out Race 6, picture Singapore Turf Club

Favourite Yulong Xiongyin (Benny Woodworth) was being hailed the winner when he opened up to a comfortable lead down the straight, but Badel was working overtime on the wayward River Golden at the back.

The Hong Kong-owned No Excuse Needed five-year-old was hanging in badly under pressure and did not look like he would give the Frenchman that first Kranji win.

But the son of former top jockey Alain Badel and trainer Myriam Bollack-Badel showed he had riding in his genes with a breathtaking riding display inside the last furlong.

River Golden kept digging deep under Badel’s typical gallic riding style, eventually laying down the law to gather Yulong Xiongyin by half-a-length. Terms Of Reference (Barend Vorster) ran third another 1 ¾ lengths away. The winning time was 1min 9.91secs for the 1200m on the Short Course.

“It’s fantastic to ride a winner here in Singapore,” said Badel, a regular visitor in Hong Kong during the off-season in France.

“The horse gave me a pretty good race. We had the perfect draw and he ran relaxed in midfield.

“He was hanging in badly, but he showed a good turn of foot to catch the leader.”

Local trainer Mok Zhan Lun said all the credit should go to Badel as he thought his ward was not making much headway at the 300m.

“The jockey gave the horse a tough ride. All credit should got to him – he won the race,” said Mok who has not saddled a winner since Good Bet on March 16.

“The horse was not quickening, it looked like there was nothing left in the tank, but he never gave up and neither did the horse.

“It’s fantastic to have a winner on such a big day.”

River Golden ($40) was bringing up his fourth win from 23 starts for prizemoney that has now edged closer to the $180,000 mark for owner Ho Pui Kim.