Singapore Turf Club
With jockey Daniel Moor sidelined through both injury and suspension, trainer Lee Freedman was quick to snap up top Sydney jockey Tim Clark for the ride on Mr Clint (NZ) (Power) in the S$1.35 million Dester Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) on November 11.
Moor was recently outed for five meetings after Stewards adjudged that he and Vlad Duric (also took five meetings) shared the responsibility for the race fall from which jockey Alysha Collett injured her back injury on October 14.
As the ban meant Moor would miss the Singapore Gold Cup, he could have appealed, but a few days later (Wednesday), he fractured his hand at the barrier trials, ruling him out for good.
Freedman has not taken long to find his replacement for Mr Clint, though. Clark, 32, who currently sits in fifth spot on the Sydney jockey’s premiership gave the nod right away, but the final booking is still subject to the Licensing Committee’s approval.
The 32-year-old jockey has never ridden in Singapore, but rode with success in Hong Kong for two seasons (2011 and 2012).
“Tim is a promising young jockey. I’ve known him for quite a while and have been following his career,” said Freedman.
“He’s a good positive rider and is doing very well in Sydney now. He hasn’t ridden for me, but he’s ridden winners for my brother (Anthony), namely Shoals in the Group 1 Sangster Stakes.
“I think Mr Clint will get six kilos off the top weight. Timmy should be able to ride at that weight (around 52kgs).”
Freedman will also saddle Circuit Land and Mr Spielberg in the Singapore Gold Cup. The same trio last ran in the second Leg of the Singapore Triple Crown series, the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1800m) last Sunday, coming up with mixed results.
Circuit Land, who had Macau champion jockey Ruan Maia up, finished the closest to Debt Collector in third place, one and a half lengths away. Mr Clint was next in seventh place after leading while Mr Spielberg (Craig Grylls) ran 12th.
“I was actually quite happy with Mr Clint’s run. I think he will appreciate the weight drop,” said Freedman.
“He’s never gone over 2000m, but Daniel is adamant he will run out the trip.
Should Clark be granted a one-day licence by the Singapore Turf Club, trainers can book him through Freedman for rides on the undercard of the November 11 meeting.
Mr Clint won the Group 1 Singapore Guineas (1600m) in May when ridden by another visiting jockey, Australian-born Hong Kong champion jockey Zac Purton. -STC