A 'first' for new trainer David Kok

SINGAPORE,  13 Sept 2009
 
David Kok leads in FIRST AVENUE accompanied by wife
Irene - SNTC photo

David Kok, granted a licence just last week, wasted no time in saddling his first winner in just his second day on the scene when FIRST AVENUE won the Class 4, Div 1 - 1200m sprint at Kranji today.

Resuming after a 19-month layoff after going amiss in February last year, FIRST AVENUE (Rhythm - Zero Celsius by It's Freezing) came from midfield to win drawing away two and a half lengths for his third win in eight starts.

Kok, who was  an assistant to trainer Charles Leck, took over a lion share of the horses left by his 'boss' when the latter was disqualified.

“I’m very happy. I got my first winner, and it’s even more special as this is a horse I’ve spent a lot of time with to bring him back to racing,” said the Ipoh-born Kok who began his career as a syce.

The 36-year-old Singapore permanent resident will have another 'first' next month. His wife Irene, who was with him at the winner's enclosure today, is expecting their first baby then.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE

1

 CLASS 5, DIV 2 - 1400M

3

 Tricky Master L Treloar V Duric

1

13

 Lion City Kingkong S Chua Chavez

2

11

 Third Avenue David Kok M Yap

3

2

 Heart Stopper S Burridge T Affandi

4

2

 RESTRICTED MAIDEN - 1200M

3

 Eternal Honour M Clements Soo

1

9

 Winning Dan S Chua Marzuki

2

2

 Collecthelimit B Dean Saimee

3

7

 Steadfast Warrior C Brown R McMahon

4

3

 CLASS 4, DIV 2 - 1200M

1

 Best Bid D Dragon J Moreira

1

10

 That's Cash M Yusof S John

2

4

 Best Echo S Chua Soo

3

8

 Lorena M Clements R Fradd

4

4

 INITIATION - 1400M

6

 Stanzout B Marsh V Duric

1

9

 World Famousman L Laxon M Gallagher

2

11

 Touch Luck L Treloar B Vorster

3

7

 Nikolay M Clements J Moreira

4

5

 NOVICE - 1200M

1

 Shinkansen B Dean Aslam

1

7

 Just A Man Baertschiger R Fradd

2

6

 Ace Armando L Laxon Saimee

3

8

 What A Cat M Yusof J Moreira

4

6

 CLASS 5, DIV 1 - 1400M

8

 The Firebird Baertschiger J Powell

1

2

 Winning Expert M Clements R Fradd

2

7

 Maha Veeran D Hill B Vorster

3

6

 Blooming Sakura L Lee Soo

4

7

 CLASS 3 - 1800M

7

 Risky Business S Burridge E Legrix

1

5

 Cristoforo S Burridge Kellady

2

2

 Rooy K C Yeoh B Vorster

3

6

 Fight To Live H K Tan M Ewe

4

8

 CLASS 4 - 2400M

12

 Mission Supremo S Gray Saifudin

1

5

 Rainbow Empire D Dragon J Moreira

2

4

 Demhillsofgold B Marsh J Powell

3

1

 Lycraa Baertschiger S H Low

4

9

 CLASS 5 - 1800M

7

 World Fantasy L Laxon R Fradd

1

1

 Bombardier L Laxon Saimee

2

4

 Seacucumber M Yusof M Gallagher

3

10

 The Real Thing B Dean D Beasley

4

10

 KRANJI STAKES A - 1200M

3

 Ntini M Freedman T R Barnabas

1

1

 Why Be L Laxon T H Koh

2

4

 Noble Manor L Laxon Saimee

3

6

 World Excellence L Laxon J Moreira

4

11

 CLASS 3 - 1200M

6

 Happy Everybody S Burridge T R Barnabas

1

1

 Howgoodisthat B Dean Aslam

2

3

 Nattier P Shaw B Vorster

3

5

 Happiness Come S Burridge T Affandi

4

12

 CLASS 4, DIV 1 - 1200M

9

 First Avenue David Kok Chavez

1

1

 Men At Work S Burridge T R Barnabas

2

8

 Dan Duchess K C Yeoh Aslam

3

3

 Langstraat S Gray Saimee

4