HARRY IS BACK MOSTLY FOR THE GOODBYES

Gold Cup ride is main job, but A'lsisuhairi would not miss Kranji farewell for anything

- Michael Lee

Jockeys love quick jaunts to another racing centre, so long they do not clash with their mainstay.

At times it may present a financial dilemma, like can they afford to forgo rides back home, and potential prizemoney if they would have sat on a few hot favourites?

A'Isisuhairi Kasim is no different, but a much more compelling reason got the Malaysian jockey on a plane from South Korea - the $1.38 million Group 1 Grand Singapore Gold Cup (2,000m) on Oct 5.

True, it is the race A'Isisuhairi or "Harry" as he is better known, has always dreamt of winning, but he had to ride at that "surreal" meeting by hook or by crook this time. The time-honoured race marks the final episode of Singapore's horse racing history after a roller-coaster ride which unfortunately nosedives to a standstill after 182 years of thrills and spills.

A'Isisuhairi's head actually told him to stay back in Seoul, but his heart told him to wing it.

"I spent 11 years riding here, I didn't want to miss out on the final day. It meant a lot to be here and say goodbye to everybody," he said.

"The Korea Racing Authority and the trainers understand it's not a normal meeting, it's the last day in Singapore racing and there's a Group 1 race."