Jockey A’Isisuhairi Kasim’s hand went bolt upright when he was approached to ride Yabadabadoo in Friday’s S$250,000 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m).
A’Isisuhairi, a former two-time Singapore champion apprentice jockey, was prepared to be watching the first Leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge from the jockeys’ room this year until offered the ride on the New Zealand-bred son of Makfi.
“Chopsy (Michael Clements’ assistant-trainer Michael White) texted me two weeks ago and asked me if I had any ride in the 3YO Sprint,” recalled A’Isisuhairi.
“I said I had no ride and he mentioned about Yabadabadoo. I put my hand straight up.”
At his seventh full season in Singapore since returning from his apprenticeship in New Zealand, A’Isisuhairi has ridden only two winners for Clements from his total haul of 186 winners.
Getting the nod for the plum ride is one thing, getting the nod at the winning post is another. Keen to suss his ride out as quickly as possible, A’Isisuhairi said he had been busy getting familiarised with Yabadabadoo since he was roped in.
“I’ve been working him in the last two weeks, and I galloped him last Thursday. He is a very nice horse who does what he has to do,” he said.
“A couple of them like Nowyousee, Mokastar and also Stunning Cat, who has a nice draw, will be the main threats, but I believe in my horse’s chances even if the wide draw is a question mark.” -STC