Apprentice Li notches first win in Singapore

SINGAPORE,  1 May 2009
 
ZIBELLINO coats home to give JL Li his first win in Singapore
- SNTC photo

Apprentice J L Li notched up his first win in Singapore when he partnered nine-year-old ZIBELLINO to a surprise win in the Class 5 - 1700m handicap on the polytrack at Kranji here today.

Since his last success in October 2005, ZIBELLINO (Danehill - Doe by Hansel) managed just three placings in 2006, two placings in 2007, one placing last year and just one more placing this season before striking winning form again today.

Despite his years, ZIBELLINO led his rivals on a merry chase and coasted home by two and a quarter lengths.

It was the second career win for Li who spent a year and a half under Sean Casey, booting home one winner.

Li spent six years  a track rider before getting his apprenticeship. "I have to thank the boss (Desmond Koh) for giving me the chance and believing in me," he said after the race.

A NZ$480,00o purchase at the New Zealand Premier Yearling Sale, ZIBELLINO won three races in South Australia before coming to Singapore where he has now chalked up  seven wins in 71 starts.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE

1

 CLASS 5 - 1000M (POLYTRACK)

10

 Astra Torres H Takaoka E Legrix

1

3

 Luminous Dragon C Leck M Ewe

2

7

 Supremacy Steel D Koh S H Low

3

11

 Victory Conqueror S Chua Marzuki

4

2

 RESTRICTED MAIDEN - 1000M (POLYTRACK)

2

 Captain Coco B Marsh B Vorster

1

5

 Men At Work S Burridge Saimee

2

3

 Dubai Gold C Brown D Beasley

3

7

 Royal Danehill H Takaoka J Moreira

4

3

 CLASS 4, DIV 2 - 1600M

5

 Mission Bay S Gray M Gallagher

1

3

 Old Faithful P Shaw B Vorster

2

4

 Brandy Dry Bertschiger S H Low

3

2

 King Firy L Laxon Saimee

4

4

 CLASS 5 - 1700M (POLYTRACK)

9

 Zibellino D Koh J L Li

1

7

 Silent Wind Baertschiger R Fradd

2

8

 Premier Night H Takaoka B Vorster

3

6

 Shen Li S Chua J Moreira

4

5

 CLASS 4, DIV 1 - 1600M

6

 Rooy K C Yeoh B Vorster

1

7

 Salvagente B Marsh V Duric

2

4

 Be With You H Takaoka Chavez

3

5

 Destiny's Day D Koh Woodworth

4

6

 CLASS 3 - 1000M (POLYTRACK)

2

 Break Free L Laxon Saimee

1

8

 Daring Shani K C Yeoh Razali

2

6

 I Tawt I Taw M Freedman V Duric

3

4

 Shing Yi S Chua J Moreira

4

7

 CLASS 4 - 1100M (POLYTRACK)

4

 Gutsy Boxer H K Tan M Ewe

1

8

 Silence Touch D Koh Woodworth

2

1

 Hey Toro B Marsh Saimee

3

2

 Super Fighter S Chua J Moreira

4

8

 BENCHMARK 97 - 1600M

6

 Keep Away H Takaoka B Vorster

1

1

 Any Humour M Freedman D Beasley

2

5

 Ace Amigo L Laxon J Moreira

3

4

 Currency D Hill M Gallagher

4

9

 CLASS 3 - 1600M

3

 Ariem M Freedman J Moreira

1

10

 Scorsese K C Yeoh Razali

2

2

 Anchor Ice P Shaw D Beasley

3

7

 Guru Glee B Marsh B Vorster

4

10

 CLASS 4 - 1200M

4

 Petrushka M Freedman V Duric

1

3

 Golden Sprint S Chua Chavez

2

1

 Spec Prince J Meagher A K Sabrina

3

10

 On My Marque Baertschiger S H Low

4