Jockey Marc Lerner got off to a great start in the new season with four wins, equalling his personal best record in Singapore.
The former German-based French jockey, who finished second to jockey Manoel Nunes on the 2023 jockeys’ log on 44 wins, kick-started the new season with three on the trot after The Shadow ($25), September ($31) and Flaming Migliore ($18) took out the first three races on Saturday.
Four races later, the in-form jockey steered the Jerome Tan-trained Khao Manee ($39) to victory in the $30,000 Dujardin 2014 Stakes, a Class 5 Division 2 Race over the mile.
Having recorded a four-timer thrice previously at Kranji (in 16 October 2021 and 9 and 16 September 2023), Lerner was again happy with his big haul on Saturday, but the talks of a possible champion jockey title this year was not on the humble rider’s mind.
“I’m not thinking about it (jockeys’ championship). I just want to enjoy riding in the races till the end. You know when you’re on good horses, it makes things a lot easier for you,” said Lerner, who is at his sixth year of riding at Kranji.
“The Shadow is a get-back type of horse and he suited Class 5.
“Flaming Migliore trialled very well on the Poly(track). It was a weak field but we had a good gate (one) and a trouble-free run, so he won it easily. Unfortunately, he bled after the race.
“September was relaxed today. I rode him (September) at his last three trials and he was quite immature and wanted to do a bit more.
“Today, he jumped and was also a bit keen but after I gave him more reins, he relaxed beautifully. We had a good run and he fought in the end and won.”
After sitting in second outside of leader Mission Five (Kaiz Khair), September gradually outsprinted the Lim-trained newcomer at the 150m, winning by one-and-three-quarter lengths on the line. June (Vlad Duric) ran another one-and-a-half lengths behind in third.
The winning time for the $50,000 Constant Justice 2019 Stakes, a Restricted Maiden race (1100m) was 1 min 4.75secs on the Polytrack.
The Falcon Racing No 7 Stable-owned gelding ran third at his debut run for ex-Kranji trainer Michael Clements on 15 July before being transferred to trainer Daniel Meagher. After three trials, he opened his account first-up, albeit Meagher reckoned the three-year-old son of Showtime was not mature yet.
“He still has a lot to improve mentally. He’s not mentally there,” said the Australian handler, who pulled off a double on Saturday after maiden Lim’s Bighorn ($12) won the $20,000 Guru-Guru 2017 Stakes, an Open Maiden race (1200m) later.
“He had a few trials and a jumpout. On the Poly(track) over 1100m, I told Marc to let him run and use his own action.
“I have a lot of time for this horse. He still has a lot of improvement left. This race would have done him a world of good.
“It’s good for Marc as he has worked on this horse a lot.”
Bought for A$230,000 as a two-year-old at the Magic Millions Gold Coast 2YOs In Training Sale, September has took his earnings to almost $50,000 for connections with his first win in two starts.
By Sharon Zhang, Singapore Turf Club
