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Jockey Marc Lerner has hit a rich vein of form with back-to-back four-timers in the first two meetings in September and he would hope to continue that purple patch atop Saturno Spring in the $300,000 Group 1 Raffles Cup (1600m) on Saturday.

The Frenchman's eight wins from 13 rides meant a winning strike rate of 61.54% and to put his September win records in perspective, the former German-based jockey rode only three winners in January this year and only managed two winners in August.

His tally now stands at 38 for the year and he sits in second place on the premiership, albeit still 35 wins less than tearaway leader Manoel Nunes.

While rare, Lerner's great run of form was no fluke as the hardworking hoop – whose only other quartet of winners at Kranji was in October 16, 2021 – has finished in the top five in the jockeys' premiership more times than not since he became a regular fixture in Singapore four years ago, with his best result as second to ex-Kranji jockey Danny Beasley in 2021 on 46 wins.

It was a combination of the right rides, good old-fashioned luck and the immense confidence that comes with riding winners on a regular basis, a point not lost on the trainers and owners who have picked up the phone to get some 'French flair' on some serious chances.

His winners in the last two weeks was spread between four trainers – three for Daniel Meagher (Lim's Saltoro and Grand Avante on September 9 and Lim's Force on September 16), two for Stephen Gray (Simon and Retallica on September 9), two for Hideyuki Takaoka (Jungle Cruise and Screen Shot September 16) and one for Steven Burridge (Lim's Dreamwalker on September 16) – and with solid rides for the same four trainers this Saturday, Lerner hoped to add to that tally.

"I ride for the same trainers who have been good to me," said Lerner from a break at trackwork on Tuesday.

"It doesn't matter how good you are riding, if your horse can't win, you can't win. So, I'm thankful for the support from Daniel, Mr Takaoka, Stephen and Steven.

"I'm also happy that the hard work paid off. It's very satisfying.

"It gave me great pleasure to ride winners for all of them, but especially for Mr Takaoka, who was my biggest supporter from the start.

"You know he's (Takaoka) retiring next month, so I really wanted to ride one winner for him before he leaves to repay his faith in me. To ride two (winners) last weekend was a big thrill as I owe him so much.

"He's not only a great trainer but also a great guy. All the trainers and jockeys were happy for him last weekend.

"Hopefully, I can ride another winner for him before he goes. I think Wind Trail (x Screen Hero) is a good chance (in the $50,000 Class 4 race) over his best distance (2000m) and some rain would help him.

"Sousui (x Mikki Isle) also looks well-placed fresh (in the $50,000 Class 4 Division 1 race) over seven furlongs. He will find this easier than the (Group 1) Singapore Derby (1800m)."

Of his other mounts on Saturday, Lerner thought the Stephen Gray-trained Kharisma in the $100,000 Class 1 race over 1200m is one of his better chances to keep the wins going.

"He (Kharisma) is in form and I thought his run in the (Group 1) Lion City Cup (1200m on August 27) was very good considering we had to ride him conservatively from the wide gate (10)," said Lerner of the seven-year-old son of Mossman.

"I thought he could have even placed (finished fourth) and this race looks winnable. And, there is no Lim's Kosciuszko in this race!"

The reigning horse of the year and Lion City Cup winner will most likely be the horse to beat in the Raffles Cup, but Lerner was more than happy to be on his stablemate, Saturno Spring.

"Obviously, without any problems, Lim's Kosciuszko wins," he said.

"But I'm happy to be on one of my favourite horses in Singapore, Saturno Spring  (x Greenspring).

"I have won on him three times this year (most recently in a Class 3 race over 1800m on May 20) and ride him every day at work for Daniel (Meagher).

"Honestly, I don't think he can win but if we run in the top four, I would be very happy.

"His aim is the (Group 1) Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) in November but unfortunately, I wont be able to ride him (should he get in with a light weight).

"He (Saturno Spring) needs some rain too, but he's such a consistent horse and I love him."

Bar the standalone edition of the Raffles Cup won by Lim's Kosciuszko on March 25 this year, the second running of the Raffles Cup this Saturday forms the first Leg of the reinstated Singapore Triple Crown series, while the next two Legs in the series are the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1800m) on October 14 and the Singapore Gold Cup on November 11.