Apprentice Kok quickly off the mark

SINGAPORE:  Jan 23, 2018
 
AUTUMN RUSH gives rookie apprentice Kok Wei Hoong an armchair ride
- SNTC photo
 

Apprentice Simon Kok Wei Hoong finished last in his very first ride astride KEEP THE JUSTICE on a historic night at Kranji here this evening.

But that did not discourage the Ipoh-born lad as he saluted the judges in his next assignment on AUTUMN RUSH in the Class 3, Div 2 - 1100m sprint in the polytrack, leading throughout on the Keano five-year-old to win by 5-1/4 lengths.

For the first time, Singapore held races on Tuesday evening and Kok marked the historic occasion with a polished ride on AUTUMN RUSH who scored back-to-back wins last March before going for a spell and then came back in November. Tonight's outing was his fourth from on resuming.

Kok is a nephew of jockey Leong Kar Wah and participated in the equestrian circuit for 10 years before joining trainer Frank Maynard for one year.

He then moved south to work under Stephen Gray for one year before joining Steven Burridge.

"I’ve always wanted to become a jockey from the time I saw my uncle ride as a kid, but I joined the Ipoh riding club first to do equestrian riding, mainly dressage and showjumping," said Kok. "Having been an equestrian rider has definitely helped me as a jockey. I’ve learned the basics there and it’s helped me with my balance now."

"He can make the grade as a rider. It’s great his mum and dad came down from Ipoh to see him win; what’s more not many ride a winner on their first day," said Burridge.

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

1

 CLASS 5 - 1100M (POLYTRACK)
8 PETITE VICTOIRE L Dragon O Placais

1
  (8 b.a.g Dubawi - Felicitous by Mtoto)  
7 Bonjour Bob CT Kuah N Juglall

2
9 Secondwave D Hill CC Wong

3
1 Obstacles Free M Walker MM Firdaus

4
 

2

 RESTRICTED MAIDEN - 1400M
2 PARADOR D Hill R Curatolo

1
  (3 ch.a.g Poet's Voice - Foolish Pride by Commands)  
1 Kranji Gold C Brown M Rodd

2
3 My Money Khoo Zaki

3
6 Ayutthaya DL Freedman G Boss

4
 

3

 CLASS 4 - 1600M
2 DALGETY S Burridge G Boss

1
  (4 b.a.g Domesday - Tin Pan by Commands)  
1 Amazing Man J Saimee S Noh

2
6 Billy Britain S Gray M Rodd

3
4 Marvel Hero DL Freedman R Curatolo

4
 

4

 OPEN MAIDEN (WFA) - 1200M (POLYTRACK)
7 KEY SUCCESS CT Kuah C Grylls

1
  (4 ch.nz.g Full Fledged - Our Final Call by Howbaddouwantit)  
8 Prince Alexander D Hill B Vorster

2
2 El Tordillo D Meagher Woodworth

3
10 Vesontio HW Tan M Rodd

4
 

5

 CLASS 3, DIV 1 - 1100M (POLYTRACK)
3 HIMALAYA DRAGON KS Tan CC Wong

1
  (7 b.a.m Hidden Dragon - Marquise Royale by Marquetry)  
2 Captain Jamie R Le Grange N Juglall

2
4 Lim's Racer S Burridge G Boss

3
1 Justice Light M Walker R Zawari

4
 

6

 CLASS 5 - 1600M (POLYTRACK)
4 MILITARY ALLIANCE CT Kuah R Curatolo

1
  (8 b.ir.g Oasis Dream - Hovering by In The Wings)  
8 King Cross M Yusof B Vorster

2
6 Archer Company B Marsh N Juglall

3
5 Kashan M Walker CK Ng

4
 

7

 CLASS 3, DIV 2 - 1100M (POLYTRACK)
10 AUTUMN RUSH S Burridge WH Kok

1
  (5 br.a.g Keano - Rosalba by Encosta De Lago)  
2 Unconquered S Gray S Noh

2
6 Northern Sun D Koh CC Wong

3
5 Melting Point L Dragon M Rodd

4
 

8

 CLASS 4 - 1200M
9 ELISE D Meagher Woodworth

1
  (5 b.nz.g Faltaat - Tongariro by Nadeem)  
8 King Of War J Peters M Rodd

2
1 Ladrone S Baertschiger Kellady

3
10 Moonraker D Hill B Vorster

4