Apprentice lands maiden win on Wassaic

SINGAPORE:  Nov 11, 2012
 
Alif partners WASSAIC to a hard-fought win - SNTC photo

New apprentice Muhamad Alif Shaik Ambiah booted home his first winner when successful on WASSAIC (Elusive Quality - Up State by Sadler's Wells) in the opening event at Kranji here today.

The Australian gelding returned to winning form after 12 months with a hard-fought victory in the Class 4, Div 3 - 1400m sprint.

Alif started out as a syce in 2006 but soon dreamt of being atop the horse instead of looking after one.

He then joined the Singapore academy for racing despite being told by many that he is too lanky. But the former dispatch ride stuck to his guns, graduated and joined trainer Leticia Dragon last year.

Now, after notching three placings in 30 rides this year, Alif made the breakthrough on a horse he was riding for the first time in a race.

"I am already 29, and I thought I didn’t have much of a chance of making it, but Leticia Dragon never stopped believed in me and pushed me to apply for the licence," said an emotional Alif after the race.

Alif also credited champion jockey Joao Moreira for this success. "Joao guides me when he has some time. He actually gave me some feedback on this horse." Moreira scored twice on the gelding last year.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE

1

 GOOD DEEDS STAKES,  CLASS 4, DIV 3 - 1400M

2

 Wassaic L Dragon S Alif

1

6

 Jeram Clipper C Brown D Beasley

2

8

 Golden Dominator M Clements J Moreira

3

9

 Lucky Rise Khoo A Munro

4

2

 COMMUNITY STAKES,  RESTRICTED MAIDEN - 1200M

5

 Bale Star P Shaw B Vorster

1

13

 Thebuzzdownunder B Dean Aslam

2

9

 Morris H W Tan I Santana

3

14

 Zac Seduction C Brown D Yendall

4

3

 BIG HEARTS STAKES,  CLASS 4 - 1600M

10

 Winning Success S Chua B Vorster

1

9

 Green Jacket H Takaoka A Munro

2

5

 Raziyya Of Sydney M Freedman C Newitt

3

1

 Irish Coffee S Burridge D Beasley

4

4

 GENEROSITY STAKES,  INITIATION - 1600M

6

 Dream On P Shaw B Vorster

1

4

 Musketeer H Takaoka A Munro

2

9

 Golden Chalice B Dean D Yendall

3

7

 Dragon Player D Hill D Bonilla

4

5

 HUMANITY STAKES,  BENCHMARK 74 - 2200M

8

 Make A Return H K Tan Sam

1

4

 Bee Ahead M Clements S Baster

2

2

 Martin L Laxon D Beasley

3

1

 Lightning Thuef C Brown C Newitt

4

6

 KINDNESS STAKES,  CLASS 3, DIV 2 - 1200M

6

 Foxtrot Hotel C Brown J Moreira

1

5

 Seligi S Baertschiger S H Low

2

4

 Peaceful Warrior D Kok I Santana

3

8

 Raging Storm S Gray S John

4

7

 CHARITY STAKES,  CLASS 4, DIV 2 - 1400M

14

 Power And Glory B Dean D Yendall

1

10

 Danny L Laxon J Moreira

2

4

 Sacred Emblem S Burridge M Firdaus

3

2

 Dynamic Dan S Burridge S Baster

4

8

 PHILANTHROPY STAKES,  GRADUATION - 1200M

1

 Wilkinson Khoo Z Zuriman

1

6

 Flying Wild B Dean S Baster

2

5

 Baby Face H W Tan Saimee

3

9

 Super Kenny P Shaw B Vorster

4

9

 GOODWILL STAKES,  KRANJI STAKES B - 1400M

5

 Dujardin L Laxon D Beasley

1

6

 Feisty Leo M Walker J Moreira

2

1

 Rafaga H K Tan W X Wong

3

7

 Totality M Clements I Santana

4

10

 BENEVOLENT STAKES,  CLASS 3, DIV 1 - 1200M

5

 Awakened D Kok J Moreira

1

8

 Damo P Shaw Saimee

2

4

 Running Tall P Shaw B Vorster

3

1

 Born To Fly S Gray S John

4

11

 LONGINES SINGAPORE GOLD CUP,  SINGAPORE G1 - 2200M

2

 Better Life H Takaoka A Munro

1

9

 Maurice Utrillo P Shaw B Vorster

2

5

 Deep Pockets C Brown J Moreira

3

15

 Tenzing C Brown C Newitt

4

12

 SHARE AND CARE STAKES,  CLASS 4, DIV 1 - 1400M

1

 Manahara D Hill A Munro

1

5

 Jackpot B Dean I Santana

2

2

 Convict S Gray S Baster

3

3

 Mr Epic S Baertschiger J Powell

4