SINGAPORE,  27 April 2006

Singapore racing will have a new face in the training ranks in June, with the arrival of multiple feature race winning trainer Susumu Nigishi.

A veteran trainer for over 20 years, the 54 year-old has to date over 570 winners from some 5,000 starters.

“I have experienced racing all over Asia — in Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Malaysia. Without a doubt, Singapore is a world class racing centre,” said Nigishi.

“This is my first venture overseas and I hope to be so successful that I get invited back to Japan for the Japan Cup! It has always been my dream to have a runner in the Japan Cup and I intend to make the very most of the opportunity given to me by the Singapore Turf Club.”

Nigishi’s feature race wins include the 1993 Shimotsuke Oaks, Kita-Kanto Chrysanthemum Cup 2004, Kita Kano Derby 2004 and Tochigi Cup 2005.

Nigishi will be the second Japanese trainer to set up shop in Singapore, after Hideyuki Takaoka, who in recent weeks have been enjoying a great run of success after a quiet start to his career at Kranji.