Singapore Racing Return for Innes at Emirates Singapore Derby

July 9, 2010 - by Lawrence · Filed Under Hong Kong Racing News

shatin_board New Zealand jockey Leith Innes is back in Kranji after agreeing to ride the Leslie Khoo-trained Pina Colarda in the coming Emirates Singapore Derby. The 32-year-old Innes had two previous stints in Singapore. His first stint is a six-month contract in 2001-2002. He then came back in 2006 with a three-month contract.

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During his two previous stints, Innes tallied 29 winners and the most prestigious of which is his victory at the now-defunct Group 3 Star Prince Challenge in 2002 with Military Chief. This time, he is granted with a five-day license which makes him eligible for the Polytrack race on Friday days before the big event.

Innes will compete in four races in both the Polytrack meet and the Emirates Singapore Derby Day. Aside from this, he will conduct two rides for both Brian Dean and Dr. Yeoh Kheng Chye on Derby day. Before these commitments, Innes has been riding for trainer and fellow Kiwi Laurie Laxon.

Currently 11th in New Zealand’s list with 66 winners, Innes said that much have changed since his last run in Singapore.
Innes added that the Fibresand track is not there anymore and there are more races in the calendar. He is happy with the booming Singapore horse racing scene and he always have fun riding in Singapore especially when he gets the time to catch up with his old buddies.

After his second stint in Singapore, Innes went back to New Zealand but he had a three-month stint in Japan which is his only other horse racing stint abroad. Innes happily reported that he is having a great time in New Zealand for he rode 65 winners despite riding fewer Listed or Group winners than Mark du Plessis. Innes has also won 90 “black type” winners wherein 12 of which are at the Group 1 level.

Innes also reported that he is currently one of the top three jockeys in terms of earnings. His first ever win came in 1995 with Ad Alta and their partnership won them a Group 1 race later on. Since then, Innes has tallied more than 850 wins including the 2003-2004 New Zealand premiership title. Now, Innes wants to win some of the big races including the 2000-metre, $1.15 million Emirates Singapore Derby.

He clarified that he does not have any long-term plans as of yet but he has his eyes on winning the Derby. Despite being tall for a jockey, he currently weighed in at about 53 kilograms. For this opportunity, Innes said that he is very grateful for the opportunity that the Singapore Turf Club gave him for it gave him a chance to once again compete in a track that he truly loves.

He added that he has tested himself in the barrier trials and even on the uphill track. He is also very grateful for the opportunity that Laxon gave him to steer Pina Colarda for the Emirates Singapore Derby.

After giving him a gallop, Innes commented that Pina Colarda is a smart race horse for he paced himself for three-quarters of the race before giving all he’s got in the final 600 metres to cross the line strongly.

Although he has not seen videos of Pina Colarda’s past races, Innes believes that he is an easy ride and that he is one of the few gallopers that can put up a strong 2000-metre effort. Pina Colarda is the son of Show A Heart and he has won races at 1400 metres, 1800 metres, 2000 metres and 2400 metres to collect more than $220,000 of prize money for the Winery Stable. He last competed in the 2000-metre, Group 2 Queen Elizabeth II Cup wherein he finished 17 lengths behind winner Race Ahead.

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