Desmond Koh’s former assistant-trainer Young Keah Yong has been running his own yard since July last year, but had to wait until January 14 to saddle his first winner.
The winning momentum has stayed on the up since with four more winners joining the list shortly after, the latest being Lord Of Cloud in a Class 4 Non Premier race over 1000m on March 4.
Lord of Cloud could be the one to give the 40-year-old handler another milestone in the S$250,000 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m), the first Leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge.
With no three-year-old a cut above in this year’s batch, Young is heading into Friday’s race with an open mind, but above all, proud to be standing at the threshold of such a significant moment in his young career.
“I actually thought the 1000m would be too short for him at his first race for me, but he still ran well. I think the 1200m of the first Leg is still short for him, but fingers crossed, it’ll be okay.
“He won over 1400m for Leticia, and I think that’s his best trip. Still, we’ll see how he goes on Friday before making any plans about the other Legs – one race at a time.”
“He’s pulled up well after his last run. Yesterday Troy See (race-rider) galloped him and I was satisfied with his work,” said Young.
“My horse has drawn okay in five, but he does not have much gate speed. He won’t go forward, Troy will just settle him where he is comfortable.”