Fairway's Turf Online

Cheetah pounces to give Yazid a first at Kranji

SINGAPORE: Aug 30, 2013

CHEETAH holds on to beat VERGLATICA - SNTC photo

With just eight rides in the first half of this year, Malaysian jockey Yazid Kamal's career in the saddle was heading for a premature end especially after he stopped riding for three months because of weight problems.

But the 28-year-old's decision to move base to Singapore paid off when he scored in his third ride at Kranji on CHEETAH in The First Aurora Cup (Class 5 - 1600m) on the polytrack tonight.

Yazid, who rode 70 winners in Malaysia, had to work hard for his victory. CHEETAH as usual set the pace but was nearly nailed on the line by VERGLATICA who came from a long way back in the running to challenge the leader.

The two horses went to the line locked together but CHEETAH prevailed by a short head for the gelding's second win in 14 starts.

"I didn’t think I would ride my first winner here so soon. I was happy to just gain as much experience as possible, but this first win has come as a nice surprise," said Yazid who was invited by CHEETAH's trainer Alvin Tan to try his luck in Singapore.

"I ride mainly for Tan but I hope this first win can get me rides from other trainers too," he said.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE: Tote No / Horse / Trainer / Jockey / Position

	THE AUSTRALIA STAKES
1	KRANJI STAKES D - 1000M (POLYTRACK)
10	HAPPY RAINBOW	D Kok	M Nunes	1
	(5 ch.ir.g Avonbridge - Kastaway by Distant Relative)
3	Fly Freely	D Hill	B Vorster	2
4	Pokaiwhenua	L Laxon	D Beasley	3
9	Street Ruffian	H W Tan	K Yazid	4

	THE QANTAS STAKES
2	RESTRICTED MAIDEN - 1200M (POLYTRACK)
2	RIKIOH	T Kieser	D Beasley	1
	(3 b.a.g Due Sasso - Bonny Belle by Stormy's Don)
1	Rocket Panda	D Kok	J Verenzuela	2
4	Gold Line	P Shaw	B Vorster	3
8	Mayweather	M Freedman	M Nunes	4

	THE AIS CUP
3	BENCHMARK 83 - 1700M (POLYTRACK)
1	ILUMINADO	S Burridge	K A'Isisuhairi	1
	(6 b.arg.g Body Glove - Brillosa by Cleante)
2	Greenstone	P Shaw	B Vorster	2
3	Ititwhatitis	H K Tan	M Nunes	3
6	Joyful Heart Man	H K Tan	W L Tan	4

	THE WILLIAM ANGLISS CUP
4	BENCHMARK 67 - 1000M (POLYTRACK)
7	GOT LUCK	H W Tan	D Beasley	1
	(4 br.nz.g Danroad - Malika by Sandtrap)
3	California Eagle	D Kok	J Moreira	2
8	Work Ahead	H W Tan	Saifudin	3
1	Black Unicorn	Z L Mok	W L Tan	4

	THE WOLF BLASS CUP
5	CLASS 4 - 1700M (POLYTRACK)
2	PHANTOM KNIGHT	B Dean	D Beasley	1
	(8 br.a.g King Charlemagne - Miss Diaz by Success Express)
3	Super Victory	P Shaw	J Powell	2
1	Golden Lark	B Marsh	C Brown	3
4	Beautiful World	D Koh	J Verenzuela	4

	THE FIRST AURORA CUP
6	CLASS 5 - 1600M (POLYTRACK)
1	CHEETAH	H W Tan	K Yazid	1
	(4 b.nz.g Gold Centre - Kiwi Dancer by Dance Floor)
4	Verglatica	S Burridge	Kellady	2
7	A's Victorious	S Yeoh	Zaki	3
5	Beverly Hill	S Chua	S John	4

	THE CONFLUENCE CUP
7	CLASS 4, DIV 1 - 1200M (POLYTRACK)
6	BOARD WALK	P Shaw	J Moreira	1
	(3 b.am.g Student Council - Emerald Coast by Forestry)
2	Super Spur	T Kieser	K A'Isisuhairi	2
4	Golden Mission	M Clements	M Nunes	3
5	Robert E	S Baertschiger	J Powell	4

	THE AUSTCHAM CUP
8	BENCHMARK 89 - 1200M (POLYTRACK)
7	BOUNDLESS GLORY	S Burridge	M Nunes	1
	(6 b.nz.g King's Chapel - Stage Fright by Stravinsky)
5	Let's See Action	P Shaw	B Vorster	2
3	Sichuan Ruler	S Baertschiger	J Powell	3
8	Great Light	M Clements	Saifudin	4

	THE SOUTHERN STAR STAKES
9	CLASS 4, DIV 2 - 1200M (POLYTRACK)
4	MY SHINE	D Koh	J Verenzuela	1
	(4 b.nz.g Shinko King - Potters Gold by Clay Hero)
6	Movie Goer	L Laxon	J Moreira	2
10	Superb Success	O'Hara	Saifudin	3
11	Rough Dance	S Baertschiger	Kellady	4