Comeback win and first trophy success

SINGAPORE:  July 20, 2012
 
PIED PIPER gets the better of three runners on his inside to
claim the Shin Min Cup - SNTC photo

It was an evening of "firsts" for a jockey and trainer in the two trophy races at Kranji tonight.

Yan Weng Kuan, who returned to race riding only late last month after being out of the scene since mid-2010 due to a one-year disqualification, scored a narrow win on Leticia Dragon-trained PIED PIPER in the S$55,000 Shin Min Cup. It was his first winner at Kranji in his comeback having landed two winners earlier in Malaysia.

Having found one to beat thrice in seven previous starts, PIED PIPER (Dubai Destination - Petousa by Redoute's Choice) found better luck this time when he got home by a neck a four-way photo in the Class 4 - 1400m handicap.

"It’s been a tough time, but it’s good to be back a winner, especially in Singapore, where I’ve always enjoyed riding,” said Ipoh-born Yan.

Trainer Shane Baertschiger, who took over from his father Don earlier this year, earned his first trophy when EL MILAGRO scored a pupolar win in the S$75,000 The New Paper Trophy.

Starting odds-on favourite in the Class 3 - 1200m contest, the three-year-old accounted for a field of mostly older horses to lead all the way for his fifth win in 11 starts.

"I had a slight worry about the wet track,” said Baertschiger. "But he loved it out there tonight and it’s been a pretty good win in the end."

RESULTS AT A GLANCE

1

 CLASS 5, DIV 1 - 1200M

4

 Hang Tuah H K Tan M Firdaus

1

8

 Sir Rumble S Baertschiger S H Low

2

6

 His My Idol H K Tan Y F Leong

3

5

 Hellolo M Walker R Shafiq

4

2

 RESTRICTED MAIDEN - 1400M

10

 Yastrzemski S Burridge S Baster

1

8

 Super Victory P Shaw G Cheyne

2

9

 Wilkinson Khoo Saifudin

3

3

 Chinese Tycoon S Chua B Vorster

4

3

 BENCHMARK 61 - 2000M

7

 Iro Otoko M Walker J Moreira

1

1

 Maraeti L Laxon D Beasley

2

4

 Terra Firma S Burridge S Baster

3

8

 Cartago B Dean A Ng

4

4

 INITIATION - 1600M

4

 Positive Thinking P Shaw B Vorster

1

3

 Destiny Action T Kieser Soo

2

1

 Hello Good Buy O'Hara Suhaimi

3

11

 Musashi Mambo H Takaoka A Munro

4

5

 SHIN MIN CUP,  CLASS 4 - 1400M

7

 Pied Piper L Dragon Yan

1

3

 Irish Coffee S Burridge S Baster

2

4

 Ravoux S Gray D Beasley

3

1

 Natural Nice L Laxon J Moreira

4

6

 CLASS 5, DIV 2 - 1200M

9

 Zac Command M Walker J Moreira

1

11

 Chan's Electra D Kok A Ng

2

2

 Lucky Sun D Kok R Lim

3

8

 Rocket Fly T Kieser Sivan

4

7

 THE NEW PAPER TROPHY,  CLASS 3 - 1200M

1

 El Milagro S Baertschiger J Powell

1

10

 Wassaic L Dragon H K Cheng

2

3

 Country Club S Burridge Kellady

3

2

 Fuku Kitaru M Yusof Soo

4

8

 CLASS 5 - 2000M

1

 Alvito D Koh J L Li

1

4

 Atiamuri L Laxon J Moreira

2

10

 Take The Fifth H K Tan G Cheyne

3

7

 I Like M Clements B Vorster

4

9

 CLASS 4, DIV 2 - 1200M

5

 Sacred Emblem S Burridge Saifudin

1

1

 Kingracer L Dragon J Powell

2

4

 Kallisan S Gray D Beasley

3

7

 The Big Dee S Burridge S Baster

4

10

 CLASS 4, DIV 1 - 1200M

3

 Royal Coffee S Buridge A Munro

1

2

 Lucky Diamond M Yusof Soo

2

7

 Tough Ruler P Shaw G Cheyne

3

1

 Rio Fortune M Walker J Moreira

4