The last event of Friday’s nine-race programme, the $75,000 Kranji Stakes C race over 1100m on Polytrack, went the way of Squall Line following a hard-fought tussle in the home straight.

Prepared by trainer Mok Zhan Lun, the My Halo seven-year-old recorded a half-length win over a very gutsy U Got It (Muhd Firdaus) with Raging Storm (Ismail Andy) third another half-a-length away. The winning time was 1min 5.48secs.

U Got It looked well on his way to handing trainer Leslie Khoo a winning treble when he hit the front at the 300m mark, but jockey Cheng Han Kok would not throw in the towel on Squall Line and kept clicking his mount up for another gear.

Jockey Cheng Han Kok guides Squall Line to victory in the final event on Friday night.

The Malaysian jockey, who has not scored at Kranji since September 2008 (Happy Fortune), was rewarded for his hard graft as Squall Line finally lifted to get the better of U Got It.

“I was very concerned with the barrier, but we had a claiming rider on board who took off some weight,” said Mok.

“Being a bleeder I have kept him fresh and have galloped him just once since his last start.

“I don’t take the risk with swimming him. He’s a seven-year-old now with a bit of wear and tear in the legs so we just work him lightly.

“Keeping him fresh has got his interest back in racing and hopefully he can keep on going.”

Squall Line’s win deprived Khoo of the outright lead in the Singapore trainer’s premiership as he would have held a one-win margin (48 wins) over Laurie Laxon (47 wins) if U Got It had saluted.