Apprentice Tengku Rehaizat scored a first-up win from suspension when he landed Cash Dot Com a winner in the $75,000 Kranji Stakes C over 1200m on the Polytrack on Friday night.
Having his first ride in three-and-a-half months, Rehaizat guided Cash Dot Com to a neck victory over Seligi (Joao Moreira) with Kingracer (Alan Munro) two-and-a-half lengths back in third place.
Rehaizat had Cash Dot Com out of the gates quickly and he drove the gelding across from his wide draw to sit on the outside of co-leader Yoyo (Saifudin Ismail).
Cash Dot Com (Tengku Rehaizat) holds off the strong challenge from Seligi (Joao Moreira) to
score by a neck.
Turning for home he sent Cash Dot Com to the lead with the two placegetters coming out of the pack to chase hard.
Riding hard with the whip and then hands and heels, Cash Dot Com was able to hold off the determined challenge of Seligi and Moreira.
Rehaizat was over the moon with his first-up victory and admitted that he would “improve” with the ride under his belt.
The victory – his 12th for the year – put Rehaizat back on top of the Apprentice Jockey’s Premiership Table.
“After three-and-a-half months off this is what I needed,” said Rehaizat.
“A winner at my first ride back. It will certainly boost my morale.
“I’ve been riding lots of trackwork in my time off but there is nothing like race fitness.
“I was able to eat a bit more when I was out, but that made me more determined to work even harder to get this win.
“I have to thank my boss (Desmond Koh) who gave me this winner at my first ride back. He never stops motivating me.
“He’s the best man ever.”
Koh said the victory was well deserved and will give the young rider the motivation to go ahead with his career.
“He was quite depressed there for a while,” said Koh. “He was hoping to go to Macau for the Asian Young Guns series but was unfortunately suspended.
“It was pretty tough for him being out for four months. He deserves this win as he’s been working really hard of late.
“He rode a great race tonight and I’m hoping he keeps learning as he is a very good rider.”
For Cash Dot Com it was his sixth victory from 20 starts and the five-year-old son of Hussonet from the Flying Spur mare Alcazaba, took his prizemoney to around $285,000 for the Arowana Stable.