Top Australian jockey Glen Boss seems to have struck a solid bond with trainer Leslie Khoo after the pair combined to win for the second time this year.
Boss scored aboard Super Velox – incidentally finally succeeding in breaking the gelding’s maiden status at his 71st start – for the Singaporean trainer at a one-day Kranji visit on March 27, returned to Australia before coming back last week when the work permit to his six-month licence was finally approved.
The three-time Melbourne Cup-winning jockey drew a blank from his three rides on Friday debut but did not wait too long to show his wares two days later. After an unplaced ride in the first race, Boss was right on the money when he teamed up with Khoo again.
Riding $11 favourite Mongolian Chief, who just like Super Velox carries Khoo’s red and yellow V silks, in the $65,000 Initiation race over 1200m, Boss dropped the Alamosa three-year-old at the rear before improving through the small field (down to seven after two scratchings) and parting company with them at the 200m for a two-length win from joint-favourite Lim’s Control (Corey Brown).
Dragon Kingdom (Saifudin Ismail) ran third another 2 ¾ lengths away. The winning time was 1min 12.51secs for the 1200m on the Polytrack.
“We form a good team. It’s a pleasure to ride for Leslie,” said Boss.
“It’s good to get a winner early to my six-month contract. Hopefully the momentum keeps going.
“This horse wants 1400m to a mile. He is better than this class for sure.”
Khoo, who owns a share in Mongolian Chief, said he had no hesitation in booking Boss when he knew he was available for rides starting from this week.
“I always try and get good riders and Bossy doesn’t get any better than that, especially for this horse, who I felt needs a strong rider,” said Khoo, himself a former top jockey.
“He’s had two good runs for me and he showed he was on the improve when he won his barrier trial two weeks ago (May 5).
“I bought this horse as a trial winner back in New Zealand. The fast pace suited him and Bossy rode him very well.”
Boss went on to secure a very good second day at the office when he rode a second winner later, short-priced favourite ($8) Hongchen for trainer Mok Zhan Lun in the $38,000 Kranji Stakes D race over 1600m.
– Singapore Turf Club
