3 minute read
It has been a while since trainer Young Keah Yong welcomed new youngsters into his barn, but that has all changed after new owner JFK Stable came on board with two three-year-olds.
One is already well known at Kranji, No More Delay , a two-time winner (over 1200m) and previously trained by Daniel Meagher, while Port Louis is unraced and was bought by Young in a private sale in New Zealand.
Both horses were sold to Mauritian businessman Joey Foo-Kune, hence the JFK acronym.
Though the name pops up for the first time in Singapore, the Foo-Kune family are prominent owners in Mauritius and South African racing. Kranji jockey Benny Woodworth rode for many years for them in Mauritius, including at last year's stint.
The injection of new blood was a boost to Young's small string of 15 horses. The Singaporean trainer is now hoping No More Delay can give his new connections something to cheer about at his first run for them in the $50,000 Class 4 Division 1 race over 1200m this Saturday.
"Joey bought the horse from Daniel and he came over about three to four weeks ago," said Young, whose second and latest win this season was with Happy Friday on March 26.
"Benny knew Joey when he rode in Mauritius, he then introduced me to him.
"He (No More Delay) was in great shape when he transferred over, and Daniel was very kind to give me some advice on his temperament and how he works, so I'm grateful for that.
"He's still a bit playful. The last time he won, it was by a bit (a head from War Commander) in that Novice race (over 1200m on April 17).
"I don't know much about him yet, but he's still in the same class now.
"He's ready to run. He will wear blinkers and pair up with Benny again. They galloped on Tuesday morning and I'm happy with the work.
"Port Louis arrived in December last year. I bought him in a private sale in New Zealand and sold him to Joey.
"He ran in the Pre-Official Race Trial (PRORT) this morning under Benny. We did not force him as that's his first trial here.
"He still needs to improve on his fitness, otherwise, it's all great. Hopefully, he can run by July before he turns four."
The Foo-Kunes seem keen to bring their Mauritius brand to Kranji as they have named the son of Burgundy after the capital of the Indian Ocean island.
They are not the first to race in Singapore, though. Stephen Tin raced Count Me In (now Happy Moment) in his Mauritius flag colours of red, blue, yellow and green and not long ago, the late Nooresh Juglall successfully rode for five seasons at Kranji.
No More Delay was regarded by Meagher as his three-year-old candidate in the Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Sprint (1200m) and Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1400m) after his last win.
Young reckons a forward run this week would keep the son of Zoustar on track for those lofty targets.
"I hope he can run well again this Saturday, better if he wins. Then we'll prepare him towards the three-year-old races," said Young, who received his trainer's licence in 2017.
"It's not easy these days. I'm also trying my best to get owners into racing.
"No More Delay is my best chance this week (out of nine runners, in which four are Emergency Acceptors). If he wins, it would be a great boost to the stable."
No More Delay will carry 55.5kgs and jump from barrier four in the yellow, purple epaulette and yellow and purple hooded cap colours of the JFK stable.
