HONESTY IS THE WAY TO GO

Trainer Joseph Leck's first 'very own' horse paving the road towards the next generation

- Michael Lee

Honesty may well be the best policy Joseph Leck has brought to his budding training career thus far.

Truth be told, the Singaporean already channelled such a trait through a composure and maturity that belied his young age — he turns 33 on March 31 — in his media interviews, both on TV and in print.

Honesty happens to also be a befitting name to his newcomer who won on debut in Kuala Lumpur in a Class 4A (1,020m) race on March 1.

After breaking his maiden status at the last of his six Australian starts in a 1,300m race at Wyong in May 2024, the son of Per Incanto, who then went by the name of Street Magic, has franked that form at his Malaysian launch.

More pointedly, though, the two-length win also heralded a brand-new era for his trainer.

Honesty is Leck's first winner who was not a hand-me-down among his small squad of 20 horses.

Up until then, all his 24 winners at his rookie (20) and sophomore seasons (4) had hailed from other trainers, mostly from his uncle Charles, including first winner Berry Bliss at his very first day at the office on April 14, 2024.

Leck said he had been fairly bullish about a forward run from his debutant.