Visiting jockey Craig Grylls combined with fellow kiwis Donna Logan and Te Akau Racing to get a win on Te Akau Ben (NZ) (Tavistock) at his first ride back in Singapore on Saturday.
The New Zealand hoop, who last rode in Singapore in 2018, flew over this time for his main assignment in the S$150,000 Singapore Guineas (1600m) where he was unplaced on the Stephen Gray-trained February for the Falcon Racing No 7 Stable.
Prior to that, he had two other rides on the undercard, and he surprised punters after the Donna Logan-trained Te Akau Ben scored in the Class 4 race over 1400m.
This time, he was glad to not only get another winner for Logan, but also for the prominent Kiwi owners from the Te Akau Racing Stable.
“I’ve ridden quite a few winners for Donna back in New Zealand but I also rode her first winner in Singapore,” said the young rider who won 44 races in Singapore previously.
Grylls gave Donna Logan her first win in Singapore on April 27, 2018 when Green Star won in a Class 4 1200m race.
“It’s also great to ride a winner for Te Akau Racing (Stable) because they supported me a lot in New Zealand and I won many races for them there.”
With his second win in five starts, Te Akau Ben has now earned more than S$50,000 in prizemoney for connections.
Grylls, who flew into Singapore on Thursday night, was slightly taken aback by the win.
“I didn’t think he was hopeless but he didn’t look a strong winning chance, though he won two starts ago (on April 1),” he said.
“When he (Te Akau Ben) came through to the top of the straight, the leader rolled off and he kicked really hard and won with a lot in hand.”
Logan, who pulled off a double courtesy of Our Secret Weapon in the S$30,000 Inferno 2020 Stakes, a Class 5 race (1000m) in the opener, was happy for Grylls.
“I knew he was back to ride for Falcon Racing (No 7 Stable) and he asked if I had some rides for him. I said, ‘for sure’,” said the only female trainer at Kranji.
“He’s ridden plenty of winners for me back in New Zealand, so it’s nice to give him another winner this time.”
Meanwhile, Grylls will fly back to New Zealand on Monday, but not before another chance to open his account in a “new territory” at the Selangor Turf Club in Kuala Lumpur.
He is booked on four rides at the Sungai Besi racecourse, of which two are trained by Richard Lines and owned by the Falcon Racing No 7 Stable.
“I’ll fly over to Kuala Lumpur Sunday morning, be back in Singapore that night and then take a flight back to New Zealand on Monday.
“I’m still not used to the heat here because it’s cold in New Zealand. I had a cold last week but I’m pretty much okay now.
“It’s good to see a lot of familiar faces and catch up with people I rode for. Thanks to the Singapore Turf Club for granting me a (one-day) licence too.”
Other New Zealand bred winners in Singapore include The Jun (NZ) (Pins) & Raising Sixty-One (NZ) (Belardo).
