3 minute read
As a former top-class jockey and now trainer, Leslie Khoo has seen the highs and lows of the racing game in a career that has spanned over 50 years.
After multiple Group 1s as a jockey, which included a record four Selangor Tunku Gold Cups in 1978, 1982, 1983 and 1985, and season high 66 wins as a trainer when finishing runner-up to Patrick Shaw in 2011, Khoo now has only 10 horses in his stable.
But with only 10 meetings left until the closing of horse racing in Singapore on 5 October, the elder statesman of the training ranks still craves success and is hoping to go out on a winning note, starting on Sunday with three solid chances.
Leading the charge is the progressive three-year-old, Tennet Tentennet (x Telperion), who brings good form into the $50,000 Class 4 race over 1600m on the Polytrack, with Khoo confident of another strong showing.
"He's a nice horse for a cheap buy," said Khoo of the horse named after the song Black Machine by How Gee.
"Unfortunately, he had a few issues with his legs, so with time running out, we might not get to see the best of him.
"But all his runs this year have been good, and he gave me my last win in a similar race to this (Class 4 race over 1700m on 17 March).
"He probably should have won last start (ran second to Smart Star in a Class 4 race over 1600m on 7 July) but left his run a bit late. The barrier (10) didn't help him that day too.
"That's his style of racing. He jumps OK but likes to take his time early, so a better gate and this small field (seven nominations) will help his chances.
"(Jockey) Bruno (Queiroz) knows him well and I expect him to make a run at the 800m and be doing best work at the finish. Let's hope there is a good tempo.
"He (Tennet Tentennet) needs a good jockey, as he can find trouble back in the field. Bruno has excellent balance and knows how to place them in running.
"He's (Queiroz) young too and has a big future, so I'm happy to have him onboard again on Sunday and I think my horse will have every chance."
But while Tennet Tentennet looks his best chance on paper, Khoo is not discounting both Charismatic in the $30,000 Class 5 Division 2 race over 1100m and Oppa in the $20,000 Maiden over 1600m.
"He (Charismatic) had excuses last start," he said, after the four-year-old mare by Wandjina raced wide and saddle slipped when finishing last in Class 5 company over 1200m on 13 July.
"And I thought his run before was good (finished fourth to Cheerful Baby in Class 5 company over 1200m on 18 May) and I'm happy with how he is going.
"I'm going to throw (trainer) Steven's (Burridge) four-kilo claimer on (apprentice jockey Sazali Ramli) and he's (Charismatic) in right race, so let's hope for the best.
"I think Oppa (x Shooting To Win) is in a winnable race too.
"It is his first time over 1600m, but it's not a strong maiden and his form is good.
"His last start fourth (Class 5 over 1200m on 21 July) was good considering he had a bad gate (12) and traffic.
"And he ran a very nice second to Big Day the start before (Class 5 over 1400m on 7 July).
"(Jockey) Vitor (Espindola) rode him in both those runs, and he will be confident back in maiden company.
"We only have a small team now, obviously we can't buy any new horses anymore, so it will be nice to get a few winners before it (Kranji) closes.
"We need some luck on Sunday and hopefully we can get a result."
