Fairway's Turf Online

Darren Danis lands first winner in Singapore

SINGAPORE: Jun 22, 2024

Darren Danis scoring his first Singapore win on RUN BUDDY RUN — SNTC photo

Darren Danis finally landed his first winner in Singapore when he piloted RUN BUDDY RUN to a surprise win the Class 5, Div 2 - 1400m handicap at Kranji here today.

It was his 21st appearance in Singapore since returning to his country of birth to ride out the remaining months of racing Kranji.

Four weeks ago, an indisposed Danis missed the ride on RED MANED who then won with Simon Kok astride.

RUN BUDDY RUN, a winner in four runs in Australia before coming here, has struggled to find his form since making his local debut last August, being unplaced in 16 starts.

Just three weeks ago, the four-year-old finished dead last in a 1000m sprint on the polytrack.

Ridden by Danis for the first time today, RUN BUDDY RUN settled in midfield next t the rails, then found a split between the front runners approaching the the 300m and went after the pacemaker BIG DAY.

RUN BUDDY RUN took the lead 100m out and held on to win from the fast-finishing GOLDEN EIGHTEEN. BIG DAY held on for third. RUN BUDDY RUN paid $116.

"I was quite confident last week after I galloped him and though he might be a chance," said Danis, son of former MRA champion jockey-turned-trainer Luke Danis.

"I had been working on him for the past three weeks and from his races, he seemed to come home from the back, but the (racing) pattern today were obviously not like that (leader bias’ track).

"I thought he’d finally drawn a good gate (two) today and thought I’d ride him more positive but without using him up too much early. I rode him for luck because he’s not going to come out wide and win. We went through them, he picked up and we won."

"It’s good to get a win, finally. I thought PRODIGAL (finished fourth) could be my first winner, but it was not to be. He (RUN BUDDY RUN) was my best chance after him.

"One box ticked off (first Singapore win) and hopefully, more (wins) to come."

Danis first sat on a horse in his father's stables in Malaysia. He then joined Brian Dean as a track rider and did some trials in Singapore but decided to start his apprenticeship in either Australia or New Zealand. The visa to New Zealand came faster and off he went to join trainers Ken and Bev Kelso, and later Wayne and Vanessa Hills before graduation to the senior's rank in 2021.

"I always wanted to come back for a short stint but didn't think it would be so soon," Danis said in an interview earlier.

"It was partly due to the (Singapore Turf Club's) closure, but it was mostly to be with my family. My family and close friends haven't really seen me because I rode overseas."

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

1	CLASS 5, DIV 1 - 1400M
2	GOLD GOVERNOR	T Fitzsimmons	R Curatolo	1
	(4 b.a.g Vancouver - Elucidate by Encosta De Lago)
3	Red Dragon	T Mahadi	R Maia	2
8	Golden Eightyone	L Khoo	C Perkins	3
9	Prodigal	KS Tan	D Danis	4

2	NOVICE (SW) - 1400M
4	BOARDROOM	R Le Grange	B Pinheiro	1
	(3 gr.a.c Justify - Next Meeting by Street Cry)
7	Cheval Pegasus	J Ong	WH Kok	2
1	Creative Dreams	T Fitzsimmons	D Moor	3
2	Tommy Gun	T Fitzsimmons	R Curatolo	4

3	CLASS 5, DIV 2 - 1200M (POLYTRACK)
2	THE SHADOW	R Lim	D Moor	1
	(7 br.a.g Dissident - Tellora by Elusive Quality)
1	Outfit	J Ong	M Lerner	2
8	Bluejay	HW Tan	R Maia	3
7	Takhi	R Lim	B Pinheiro	4

4	CLASS 3 - 1600M
6	KING OF SIXTY-ONE	T Fitzsimmons	R Curatolo	1
	(5 b.ir.g Cutaifan - Grafitti by Dansili)
7	Always Together	D Meagher	M Zaki	2
5	Saint Tropez	T Fitzsimmons	R Maia	3
2	Energy Baby	J Tan	M Lerner	4

5	CLASS 5, DIV 2 - 1400M
5	RUN BUDDY RUN	R Lim	D Danis	1
	(5 br.a.g Snitzel - Midnight Revels by Don Eduardo)
9	Golden Eighteen	L Khoo	R Curatolo	2
8	Big Day	J Tan	B Pinheiro	3
13	Sheesh	R Lim	R Maia	4

6	CLASS 4 - 2000M
4	COMBUSTION	R Lim	R Curatolo	1
	(4 br.nz.g El Roca - Bead Of Courage by Captain Rio)
3	Galaxy Bar	S Burridge	T Krisna	2
5	June	T Fitzsimmons	D Moor	3
7	Screen Shot	S Burridge	N Rozlan	3
	*Deadheat for 3rd

7	CLASS 5, DIV 1 - 1200M (POLYTRACK)
6	STAR EXPRESS	J Peters	T Krisna	1
	(4 b.a.g Sebring - Don Ella by Don Eduardo)
11	Vgor	R Lim	R Curatolo	2
8	Benbo	HW Tan	C Perkins	3
1	Summer Wind	J Ong	TH Koh	4

8	CLASS 4 - 1400M
1	TE AKAU BEN	D Logan	V Espindola	1
	(6 b.nz.g Tavistock - Danalaga by Danehill)
5	Hasten	S Burridge	WH Kok	2
2	Amazing Breeze	J Tan	B Pinheiro	3
9	Pacific Star	J Ong	TH Koh	4

9	CLASS 5 - 1600M
5	ATLAS	J Ong	TH Koh	1
	(7 b.nz.g Atlante - Update by O'Reilly)
3	Citygold Lightning	D Kok	R Maia	2
8	Boss Heng Heng	D Kok	N Zyrul	3
1	Geobels Glory	T Fitzsimmons	R Curatolo	4

10	CLASS 4 - 1200M (POLYTRACK)
5	BIG UNION	J Tan	B Pinheiro	1
	(3 b/br.a.g Zoustar - Rule The River by Commands)
2	Pacific Master	J Ong	PH Seow	2
7	Taling Pling	R Le Grange	WH Kok	3
4	Pacific Atlantic	D Kok	D Moor	4