With just two thirds to his name in
previous 76 rides since he began riding in January this year, apprentice
Faiz Khair finally got off the mark when he piloted MAXIMILIAN to victory in
the Class 5 - 1700m handicap on the polytrack at Kranji here today.
Faiz was riding MAXIMILIAN for the first time after the New Zealand
seven-year-old had a recent change of trainer and he made it count by taking
command after settling down.
MAXIMILIAN made every post a winning one, winning by 3/4 length for his
fifth win in 56 starts since he landed unraced in 2018.
"Now I finally know how it feels like to cross the
finishing line first. The win brings up your confidence," said Faiz who
started out as a syce in 2015.
"It’s a relief now that I got my first winner. I wasn’t
chasing for a winner but it’s always good to get my first one. To me, this
is a learning journey and putting what I learn into practice is more
important.
"I never thought of giving up. I continued to do what I
needed to do and improve myself along the way, until the first winner comes
to me.
"It’s also nice to get my first win just before my three
weeks of (National Service) reservist duty next week."
While working as a syce, he learnt to learn to ride
properly at the riding school (Singapore Turf Club Riding Centre) before he
obtained his track rider licence in November 2016.
After riding track work for the first time, Faiz decided
that he wants to become a jockey.
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