Berry Bliss (NZ) (Charm Spirit) scored a win in the Platinum Horse Club Trophy at Selangor in Malaysia on Sunday on a day where New Zealand bred horses dominated winning eight of the nine races on the card.
New trainer Joseph Leck, 32, who was only granted his A licence last week, saddled his first winner on his debut day with a horse he has just taken over from his uncle Charles Leck.
It was a family affair as on hand to pilot the horse home was his cousin Clyde (Charles’ son) who steered the five-year-old to an all-the-way win in the Metro A set-weight event over 1600m.
It was a triumphant reunion for horse and jockey as Clyde had ridden the son of Charm Spirit in all his previous nine wins in the last two years.
The pair finished second to Pasir Pinji (NZ) (Nadeem) in the Selangor Gold Cup (1600m) last September and since then Berry Bliss has had three disappointing runs.
Berry Bliss resumed after a four-month break and beat just one home over 1400m two weeks ago but his old zest was back today.
The five-year-old went straight to the front on settling down and he coasted home by two and three-quarter lengths ahead of King’s Command.
“I’m very happy with his win,” Clyde Leck said.
“I rode the horse in trackwork earlier in the week and I knew he was well and stood a good chance to win. He ran better than I expected and this run should prep him well for the next race.
“I am also delighted riding a first winner for my cousin Joseph and there will be many more to come from our partnership.”
Berry Bliss arrived unraced in Malaysia after being sold by Bruce Sherwin on Gavelhouse to Dean Wiles and has won 10 times in 22 starts.
“I am delighted to have my first winner on my first day as a trainer,” Joseph Leck said.
“All thanks to owner Richard Tea for this to happen. The joy is indescribable. It was all the more satisfying as it was my cousin Clyde who rode the horse.
Another impressive winner on the card was Antipodean (NZ) (Derryn) who remained unbeaten at his third career start in a Class 4B over 1100m. He was sold through the draft of Regal Farm at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale to trainer Simon Dunderdale.
Other New Zealand bred winners on the card were Jazz Band (NZ) (Tavistock), Uptown Girl (NZ) (Shamoline Warrior), Jungle King (NZ) (Makfi), Graphjet Express (NZ) (Belardo), Military Flag (NZ) (U S Navy Flag), & Thousand Mile Eye (NZ) (Belardo).
