First Kranji win for Poon and Grylls

SINGAPORE:  Aug 4, 2017
Craig Grylls winning on UNCLE LUCKY Matthew Poon drives CERTAINLY home in a tight finish
- SNTC photos
 

While Craig Grylls had to wait until his 15th ride to land his first winner in Singapore, Australian-trained Hong Kong jockey Matthew Poon was off the mark in his third attempt in his maiden meeting at Kranji here tonight.

Grylls, son of former New Zealand jockey Gary who rode with success in Malaysia and Singapore in the eighties, piloted UNCLE LUCKY to an all-the-way win in the opening event.

"It’s a great opportunity to come over here and ride. I’m really happy I got that first winner out of the way as the quality of rides wasn’t quite there in the first couple of weeks," said the 27-year-old.

"’I've been getting good support from a few trainers, and it’s great I opened my account today. It’s onwards and upwards."

Poon is riding in Singapore on a two-week visit as a reward for being the Dux from South Australia under the joint agreement between the Thoroughbred Racing South Australia and the Singapore Turf Club.

Poon, 23, started riding just two years ago and made a huge impact when he went to Adelaide to hone his skills before returning to Hong Kong.

Poon showed just why he is touted as a up-and-coming rider when he brought CERTAINLY home in a tight finish to win by a nose in the Class 3 - 1800m handicap.

"It was really close, but I did think I won on the line, said Poon. "’I'm really happy I was able to ride a winner at my first meeting in Singapore."

  RESULTS AT A GLANCE:   Tote No / Horse / Trainer / Jockey / Position
 

1

 CLASS 5 - 1100M (POLYTRACK)
2 UNCLE LUCKY B Marsh C Grylls

1
  (5 b.nz.g Showcasing - Starry Angel by Shinko Forest)  
10 Lucky Boy M Walker Azhar

2
8 Cool Cat D Hill CC Wong

3
5 Miss Waimataitai M Walker V Duric

4
 

2

 OPEN MAIDEN - 1400M
3 HAPPY BABY HW Tan D David

1
  (5 ch.a.g Happy Giggle - Out There by Marwina)  
9 Super Ace B Marsh M Nunes

2
2 Amiability S Gray V Duric

3
8 Rocket Fighter L Dragon A Munro

4
 

3

 CLASS 4, DIV 2 - 1200M
3 ANCIENT WARRIOR M Walker R Shafiq

1
  (5 b.nz.g Iffraaj - Nuance by Star Way)  
7 Southern Spur J Saimee V Duric

2
6 Sacred Surfer M Walker C Grylls

3
4 Ladrone S Baertschiger Kellady

4
 

4

 OPEN MAIDEN, DIV 1 - 1400M
2 GALILEO'S APPROACH S Baertschiger Kellady

1
  (5 b.a.g New Approach - Redesign by Commands)  
4 Country Boss S Yeoh M Nunes

2
5 Hephaestus C Brown K Nuh

3
9 Six Empire Khoo Woodworth

4
 

5

 CLASS 3 - 1800M
6 CERTAINLY C Brown M Poon

1
  (5 b.a.g Nadeem - Sylph Lady by Mossman)  
7 Duke Of Normandy D Meagher G Boss

2
5 Aotearoa L Laxon B Vorster

3
1 Arhat M Clements A Munro

4
 

6

 CLASS 5 - 1200M (POLYTRACK)
3 SPECIAL RAIN HW Tan M Nunes

1
  (4 ch.a.g Anacheeva by Informal by Shamardal)  
2 Pratt Street B Marsh J Powell

2
8 Any Rumour CT Kuah SY Moon

3
7 Kubera's Chief Khoo M Chadwick

4
 

7

 CLASS 4, DIV 1 - 1200M
2 GARIZA R Le Grange Chavez

1
  (4 ch.arg.g E Dubai - Spirit Fantastic by Sunray Spirit)  
11 Dreamer Legend B Marsh M Poon

2
7 Run It Twice S Burridge G Boss

3
3 Sacred Galaxy M Walker C Grylls

4
 

8

 CLASS 4 - 1000M (POLYTRACK)
4 HOSHIKO ZL Mok D David

1
  (5 ch.a.g Star Witness - She's God's Gift by Keltrice)  
8 Shaqraa S Baertschiger H Syafiq

2
11 Trigger Man ZL Mok M Poon

3
2 Stock Broker M Clements CC Wong

4