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Opportunity knocked at his door and jockey Krisna Thangamani answered with a 10-out-of-10 ride on the $11 favourite Super Salute in the $85,000 Class 2 race over 1200m on Saturday.

Up in class after knocking in three straight wins, Super Salute  was handicapped at 50.5kgs on Saturday, so his regular partner and Brazilian ace Manoel Nunes rode The August instead.

Trainer Jason Lim was keen to support the hardworking Krisna with the good ride and owners – Alan N John Stable – were quick to agree. However, Krisna had only one win in Anyway on February 4 prior to Saturday's meeting and Super Salute had issues at the barriers, so it was a leap of faith by connections to put the two-kilo claimer on.

They had nothing to worry about as Krisna – who rode Super Salute at 50kgs - repaid their faith in spades. After jumping awkwardly from barrier two, the Malaysian rider did not panic and pressed forward with the four-year-old son of I Am Invincible to take up a position just better than midfield on the rails.

While Fame Star (Jerlyn Seow) crossed to lead early as expected, and lightweight danger Silent Is Gold (Ronnie Stewart) camped on his outside, Krisna made the winning move by getting off the rails at the 800m to be handy enough with cover and get ready for the final assault turning for home.

Silent Is Gold took up the running from the tiring Fame Star at the 300m, but Krisna had Super Salute on his tail and while the Stephen Gray-trained runner was game, Super Salute had his measure by the furlong post where it looked all but game over.

Quarter Back  (Wong Chin Chuen) came with a withering late burst to run half-a-length behind Super Salute, and Silent Is Gold finished another head away in third.

The winning time was 1 min 8.83secs for the 1200m on the Short Course.

For Krisna, it was a job well done upon crossing the finishing line.

"I'm really, really happy!" said Krisna.

"I was worried about his barrier issues, so when he fly-jumped, I panicked a bit. I think most jockeys would, as he was the favourite in a good race.

"But he picked up straightaway and put himself into a nice position. I had a good horse (Silent Is Gold) to follow, so when I got off the fence, I knew we had a very good turn of foot and had a good chance to win.

"Quarterback came quick though. I knew I had won but I was watching him until the line.

"I want to thank the trainer and the owners - they always support me. It was a great opportunity for me to ride one of the best horses in Singapore, so I'm so grateful."

Lim also had varied emotions throughout the race.

"Seriously, my heart stopped when the horse fly-jumped out of the barriers," said the Singaporean conditioner.

"That was our biggest fear but to his credit, Krisna didn't panic and did exactly what we asked him to.

"I told him not to rush if something happened and he didn't. The horse is not naughty but just anxious and has a competitive mind. He's still a handful.

"He (Krisna) stayed cool and rode him perfectly by keeping him off the fence and giving him every chance.

"Once (they were) in the straight, I knew he (Super Salute) had a second gear and he showed that.

"A great ride and I'm happy for Krisna who is a good lad and deserved the chance, regardless of the result."

Prior to the race, Lim could not have been happier with his new star and thinks the A$110,000 Inglis Online Digital Sale purchase has plenty more to offer.

"I was confident before the race as he looked excellent," he said.

"His action was very good and I knew he would run well but I tried to keep a low profile, as it was a test in this grade.

"I want to thank the whole team back at the stables. It's a team game to get the horse to where he is.

"It's great that he has gone through the grades so quickly. Now that we have ticked this box, we will look at races that suit him with one eye on the 4YO series.

"I have to look after him like a good horse now!"

The three legs of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge series are namely, the Group 3 Silver Bowl (1400m) on June 11, the Group 2 Stewards' Cup (1600m) on July 2, and the Group 1 Singapore Derby (1800m) on July 23.

Super Salute has now won four from five starts in Singapore and took his earnings to a tick under $139,000.