CORRALES A WINNER AT 28TH TRY

Combustion fires up Macau champion jockey after slow start

- Michael Lee

Panamanian jockey Luis Corrales was a relieved man after he finally returned to scales aboard his first Kranji winner, Combustion, on June 1.

The eight-time Macau champion jockey has been plying his trade in Singapore after horse racing shut down in Macau on April 1, but success had been elusive.

Alongside two other jockeys from the former Portuguese enclave, Ruan Maia and Charles Perkins, Corrales had jumped at the chance when the Singapore Turf Club granted a licence, grateful for the lifeline, albeit temporary.

Singapore racing's days are also numbered with its closing date on Oct 5.

However, the 45-year-old Corrales soon realised that, for all his glowing resume, the red carpet had not been rolled out.

It took him seven long weeks and 28 rides, mostly second-rate chances, to get the monkey off his back.

He was the last among the Macau trio to get off the mark, with Maia - who rode at Kranji before- and Perkins having already saluted.