The Jason Ong-Marc Lerner pairing might develop into a extra widespread sight at Kranji, following their first profitable mixture with Starboy on Jan 27.
The reigning Singapore champion coach has seldom used the French jockey since he started coaching in 2019.
He doesn’t have a steady rider per se, however Manoel Nunes, Koh Teck Huat and, recently, Bruno Queiroz would usually take the majority of the rides.
Ong has thrown Lerner a bone every now and then.
Curiously, two of them got here aboard Ong’s finest horse thus far, Struggle Affair, albeit the previous Singapore Horse of the Yr was already well past his prime in 2020.
One might actually rely on one hand the variety of occasions they’ve teamed up within the final 5 years – 5.
However, impulsively, that determine virtually doubled within the final two weeks.
Pacific Appeal’s third place below Lerner on Jan 14 led to a primary multiple-booking from Ong two weeks in a while Jan 27 – three rides.
Lerner wasted no time in repaying Ong’s belief with victory aboard the primary leg – Starboy ($9) within the $20,000 Open Maiden race (1,200m).
The handicap of 54kg (he rode 1kg over) was a giveaway about which Ong runner the heavyweight jockey was keener on. Sirius (fifth) and Roda Robotic (eighth) have been later unsuccessful.
“It’s my first win for Jason. It was price losing all the way down to 55kg,” stated the Group 1-winning jockey, who rides primarily for Daniel Meagher, Stephen Grey and Jerome Tan.
“The horse was match as he didn’t run way back. He was additionally knocking on the door, and I believe he’ll get higher over extra floor.”
The Taking pictures To Win three-year-old largely slipped below the radar early on, till he chalked up a 3rd below Nunes at his fifth begin in a Class 5 race (1,200m) on Dec 2.
Nunes went one higher on him at his subsequent two begins – each in Open Maiden Polytrack occasions, however was to not be the one to place the cherry on the highest.
“It was the proprietor’s (Tan Zheng Xuan) determination to place Marc on. Marc rode the horse effectively,” stated Ong, when probed concerning the change.
“The horse’s final begin over 1,100m was a very good run, however I all the time thought he wish to go over an extended distance.”
The 1,200m of the Open Maiden nonetheless didn’t make him a shoo-in even when he was punted all the way down to strong $9 favouritism.
Ong was slightly involved about Starboy’s inclination to get above himself in his races, hoping that Lerner might train him to settle.
“It was a very good instructional run. We needed to show him easy methods to chase,” stated Ong.
“I used to be simply hoping to see him come off the tempo and end strongly. I wasn’t fearful the place he was as I knew he had the flip of foot.
“Final time, Nunes needed to experience him optimistic, however that was as a result of it was over 1,100m.”
The primary 200m of the Jan 27 contest didn’t appear to run counter to that sample, although.
Off to a daring begin from a center draw, Starboy had solely Lim’s Sinai (Sazali Ramli) forward of him upon settling.
However, because the chief clapped on the pace, and with Central Luzon (Bruno Queiroz) not kicking up on the within, Starboy was capable of tuck in for the proper trailing place on the rail.
Into the straight, each Starboy and Central Luzon gave chase, however the odds-on favorite was by far the higher horse.
Regardless of Sazali’s saddle slipping backwards from the 400m, Lim’s Sinai did effectively to hold on for second place, one size away. Golden Eightyone (A’Isisuhairi Kasim) was third, one other ½-length away.
The profitable time was 1min 10.18sec for the 1,200m on the lengthy course.
“He’s a horse with lots of upside. He’s extra relaxed now,” stated Ong.
“We’ll see how he pulls up, and we’ll then plan his future races.”
manyan@sph.com.sg
