3 minute read

You always know what you are getting with trainer Stephen Gray.

The New Zealand handler, who has made Singapore his home since 2000, usually finishes in the top 10 on the trainers' premiership with around 30 winners a year and 2022 will be no different with 15 winners heading into this weekend's racing.

He also always manages to have a good stayer in his yard - Hard Too Think currently ticks that box – and you can set your watch by the big Kiwi leading in a winner or two with wife Bridget on most feature race days.

Gray is loyal too.

A very good trait to have but oddly, the very reason why the last time jockey Manoel Nunes won on a Gray-trained horse was when the Brazilian saluted on Destiny Knight way back on March 19, 2017.

Yes, the pair has combined since – and combines again with Ksatria on Saturday in a $30,000 Class 5 race (1700m) on the Polytrack - but not as regularly as one might have thought given Nunes is often on the best horses and Gray certainly trains them.

"He's hard to get!" quipped Gray.

"But I also like to support the riders that do the work and jockeys like Marc (Lerner) and some of the local lads help me every day.

"And they (Lerner et al) have to ride the ones with no chance, so it's only fair they get a go on the ones that can win too."

So, why Nunes on Ksatria  this Saturday?

"We had the choice between carrying no weight in a Class 4 race or lumping 59kgs in Class 5," explained Gray.

"I was leaning towards the Class 4 race with (apprentice jockey) Iskandar (Rosman) but Nunes was available to ride him in the Class 5, so we thought 'why not?' as he is worth a few kilos in these type of races."

Gray – who prefers using freelance jockeys – knew that Nunes only jumps on horses with realistic wining chances and Ksatria – who only broke his maiden status two starts back – is certainly that.

"You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear," laughed Gray as he is aware of the ability of most of Nunes' mounts.

"He's the best jockey in Singapore at the moment – certainly in terms of winners - so he can pick and choose and I don't call him to ride bad horses.

"Ksatria is a handy enough stayer, is in good form and looks to have found a winnable race.

"His recent trial was good too, he loves the Poly(track) and he's genuine, so he should figure in the finish."

The Dago Stable-owned five-year-old will carry the same colours as 2016 Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup winner, Bahana, a point not lost on Gray in these tough COVID-19 times.

"It's been a tough few years for everyone in the industry," lamented the now-Singapore permanent resident Gray.

"(Indonesian owner) Untung Joesoef (Dago Stable) has been a very good supporter of our stable for many years.

"Nice people and they have had a lot of success with horses like Bahana and Kharisma.

"And while it's a bit quieter now – it is everywhere – things will pick up and hopefully Ksatria can win for them on Saturday."

Gray is also a proud family man and while his two children (James, 20 and Katie,18) are both currently studying overseas, Singapore is where they call home.

"Both kids were born here (Singapore)," beamed Gray who followed his father, Kevin, into the horse training caper.

"James finished his National Service last year as a Captain and also received a Sword of Merit.

"They both started Uni(versity) this year – James in Wellington (New Zealand) and Katie in Melbourne (Australia), so we have to keep training winners to pay for the fees!"

Apart from Ksatria, Gray will saddle another seven runners on Saturday. He rates Our Pinnacle  in the $50,000 Class 4 Division 2 race (1200m), Silkardo  in the $30,000 Class 5 race (1600m) and Retallica  in the $30,000 Class 5 Division 2 race (1200m) as solid each-way hopes.

"I think Our Pinnacle  was unlucky last start. He's going good on the Poly(track) and it's probably his honesty that is keeping him from winning as he's just a bit high in the ratings," volunteered Gray.

"Silkardo is a get-back type of horse who probably needs longer, but has no weight and a good jockey in Hakim (Kamaruddin) and Retallica needs the bottom division in Class 5 and he goes good for Shafiq (Rizuan)."

While a winner or two this Saturday would not surprise, you know rain, hail or shine, Gray and Bridget will be there next week trying their very best.

And the week after that.