Double just the tonic for Shaw

CONVALESCENT trainer Patrick Shaw could not have hoped for a better tonic after his yard saddled a race-to-race double with favourites Royal Ruler and Big Brother at Kranjion Friday night.

Though he was up against a stronger grade of horses, Royal Ruler speared up the straight with a searching run to land the $100,000 Open Benchmark 97 race over 1 100mn while Big Brother, was just too good when he was launched for his run at the 300m mark $60,000 Class 4 race over 1 600m

Currently recovering from a successful surgery, Shaw could obviously not be at the races to see the feat first-hand, but assistant-trainer Ricardo Le Grange was sure the South African mentor would be pleased with the news.

“It’s been a few rough days for Pat, but I’m sure this double will help lift his spirits,” said Le Grange.

“He had surgery on Wednesday and it was successful, thank God. “We wish him a speedy recovery.” Le Grange said both winners had been expected on paper, but they still had to head out on the tracks to bring home the results. Shaw is now on 63 winners but still seven winners behind Alwin Tan as the latter also brought home a double with Thunder Cat and Dragon Master.

Royal Ruler

“Royal Ruler was up in class but he had no weight on his back, and he was again very gutsy to the line,” he said.

“He was given a great ride by Barend (Vorster).

Royal Ruler’s stablemate Rafaello (NooreshJuglall) ran on for third place.

Juglall, who shares the bulk of Shaw’s rides with Vorster, also wished Shaw well as he jumped off Big Brother.

“The race was done from the jump. Once he was able to get a good spot behind the speed, I knew he would be hard to beat,” said the Mauritian jockey.

Kishan

By the same token, Juglall took this opportunity to also wish his younger brother Kishan all the best for his riding debut at Scottsville in South Africa on Sunday.

“I would also like to wish my young brother Kishan good luck at his very first rides this Sunday,” said the former twotime South African champion apprentice jockey.

“He wanted to follow into my footsteps and joined the South African Jockey Academy (SAJA) in January. I wish him well. It’s not an easy job. For myself, it took me 50 rides before I rode my first winner.

“So, even if he goes through the same tough times as me or any other apprentice jockey, he has to stick it out and if he is good and he listens and learns, he will get the rewards in the end.” - Singapore Turf Club