By Sharon Zhang, Singapore Turf Club
Coin Toss stormed home in the $75,000 Restricted Maiden race (1200m) on Saturday to give the Gandharvi Stable their first win in Singapore.
Helmed by digital health entrepreneur Kuldeep Singh Rajput, the Gandharvi Stable first bought Muraahib over from Oscar Racing Stable last year as their initial investment in Singapore before sending two more newcomers to trainer Michael Clements.
Petrograd and Coin Toss made their debuts in a similar race on the turf two weeks ago, where they ran second and third respectively to their stablemate Ejaz.
However, their Indian-born businessman owner did not have to wait long to welcome his first winner at Kranji.
Coin Toss ($19) was ridden by jockey Simon Kok Wei Hoong for the first time and the pair settled in mid field behind a steady pace set by Strong Ace (Bernardo Pinheiro).
Kok dug up his mount to give chase at the bend while the even-money favourite Golden Brown (Jake Bayliss) sneaked up on the rails turning for home.
The Tim Fitzsimmons-trained debutant looked to have the race in his keeping for a fleeting moment at the 200m, but he had not reckon with Coin Toss, who flourished late on the outside to score by a length in the end.
Clements’ second runner, Shihab (Ibrahim Mamat) made up plenty of grounds late, but still finished a distant five-and-a-half lengths away in third.
The winning time was 1min 11.67 secs for the 1200m on the Polytrack.
Clements was back on Monday from a trip to South Korea after his first international runner Celavi got beat in the Group 3 Korean Sprint (1200m) at Seoul racecourse, but he was happy for both Rajput and Kok after Coin Toss opened his account second-up.
“He’s (Coin Toss) came on since his last run and it was a good win,” said the 2020 Singapore champion trainer of his 36th winner this season.
“That was his first run on the Poly(track) and it was nice to see him get his first win for the owner.
“Simon had been patient while waiting for his (work permit’s) paperwork to be ready.
“We’ve always had a bit of luck with him, so it’s good to see him win on this horse.”
Bought for A$175,000 at the 2021 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale last year, Coin Toss has earned close to $50,000 in prizemoney for the Gandharvi Stable after one win and one third in two starts.
Even though Kok was promoted to a senior jockey on July 1, the paperwork for his Employment Pass took some time to be approved, and so he was only able to ride for his master trainer Steven Burridge up till mid-August.
The former two-time champion apprentice jockey scored his first winner as a freelance jockey aboard Wealth Elite for Burridge on July 17, before the winners start to pour in.
Not only did Kok bagged a treble (King’s Speech, Tiger Roar and King Zoustar) on August 28, he scored the first four-timer in his career on Saturday.
He pulled off a brace atop Wawasan ($21) in the $30,000 Class 5 race (1000m) and Coin Toss, before Heng Xing ($24) and First Chief ($16) saluted in the $20,000 Maiden race (1600m) and $30,000 Class 5 Division 2 race (1200m) respectively, both for trainer Richard Lim.
“I was happy to get a double early, so I really appreciate that many people are willing to support me,” said the Ipoh-born rider who began riding in Singapore four years ago.
“I cantered him (Coin Toss) once the other day, and he showed some ability first-up.
“Today, I just let him jump wherever he is happy. When I start to put some pressure on him from the 600m, he didn’t know what he was doing.
“He was still looking around, but he has got some engine underneath.
“I gave him a bit more space in the straight, and he showed that he could win a bit more easily.
“He’s still learning and looking for more grounds, so I believe he’ll step up gradually.
“As for Wawasan, I gave the horse every chance, and the pace was very fast, which benefited my horse and so he finished off strongly.
“I was confident and I knew I could get a few winners today, but you still need a bit of luck in racing.
“Let’s hope Spirit Of Big Bang can give me one more winner later! He’s got enough (four) seconds already.”
Unfortunately, the Clements-trained gelding and Kok finished fourth behind Hongkong Great in the $85,000 Class 2 race (1600m).
