South African jockey Derreck David is back to show that his successful lightning visit at Kranji in March was not all down to sheer luck.
As it is, David already bears uniquely lucky initials in a local context, 4D (the popular Singapore lottery game) – if his full name Derreck Donavan Dennis David were to be fully spelled out – which were quickly picked up by Singapore’s punters.
But whether that superstition held true, David sure proved to be a winning number for those who backed him on Poseidon at his very first ride, and two meetings later on Ares – two winners in only 10 rides.
Derreck David
The former South African champion apprentice jockey and reigning Mauritius champion jockey was originally meant to ride for six weeks in Singapore, but the stay was cut short to only three meetings due to a delay in his work permit approval.
Maybe it was a blessing in disguise as the shorter window period to prove himself paved the way for a better strike rate of 20% (two wins in 10 rides), which could have potentially dropped when stretched over a longer period of time.
But David, who was celebrating his 28th birthday on Wednesday, is not one to dwell on such moot points and the past. His intention is to pick up where he left off at this second much longer Singapore stint of six months.
He just wants to ride winners in a city that he likes for its efficiency, cleanliness and safety – and above all, its competitive horse racing.
“I loved my last visit even though it was much shorter than planned. I managed to ride two winners, which certainly helped me make my mark here,” said David.
“I always wanted to come back and I suppose that good score helped me get another contract, which I’d like to thank the Singapore Turf Club for again giving me the wonderful opportunity, and this time, I want to have a real go at it over a longer time.
“By coincidence, my two winners in March came for Cliff Brown and Astley Phua (Olympian Stable), and I again thank them for their support which is still very strong now. But it’s not just for them that I’m here for, I’m here to ride for as many trainers and owners as possible.”
Derreck and Angeliquue David
David, who landed in Singapore from Johannesburg on Tuesday morning with wife Angelique, is booked on three Brown’s horses on Sunday.
These include his pet horse Poseidon in the Open Benchmark 97 race over the mile, another Olympian in Thanatos, Sir Isaac, as well as one for Steven Lam, Fast Jet, and Sharp Blade for Stephen Gray.
“It’s not a bad book for a return. I’m happy to be back on a horse that I know and is quite special to me, Poseidon,” he said.
“I think he found the competition too tough in the Derby. He should run better back in easier BM97 company.”
Read our preview of the Singapore Sunday card
David said that he went back to Mauritius to honour a job contract with leading trainer Gilbert Rousset after he left Singapore, but it did not work quite as well as at their prolific 2015 season.
Things in the end worked out for the better for the former partner of top South African galloper Pierre Jourdan when the offer from the Singapore Turf Club landed on his lap around the same time.
“As I had to wait for my work permit to be approved, to keep fit, I went back home in South Africa to ride trackwork,” said David, a lightweight jockey who can ride at 50 kgs.
Derreck wins a Gr2 at Greyville in SA
“But I was offered a few race rides at Greyville, and I ended up winning on a 40-1 outsider for Kom Naidoo. I came within a whisker of winning on another longshot, so all in all, it was a good warm-up before Singapore.”
On a quirky note befitting of the rather colourful rider we saw wearing his heart on his sleeve at his last visit, David will wear his name on a new pair of breeches with that local flavour that caught on quite well the first time round.
“I’ve had my name printed as DDDD – like the 4D game – on my breeches back in South Africa. Let’s hope it brings me even more luck,” he said with a big smile.
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