Mahadi Reaps Instant Reward

Delayed start for Singaporean handler in KL but first runner Genrich gets off the mark

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KUALA LUMPUR - Mahadi Taib might have waited for months for his work permit to come through in Malaysia, but the Singaporean trainer hit pay dirt when his first runner in Kuala Lumpur got on the scoresheet on May 17.

Purchased for just A$2,000 (S$1,665) at the Inglis 2021 July (Late) online sale and ran unplaced in two runs for Mahadi in Singapore, Genrich came from just off the pace to score a 1¾-length victory at his fifth Malaysian start in the RM38,000 (S$11,500) Class 5A sprint (1,020m) at Sungai Besi.

After the son of Your Song last ran ninth in a Restricted Maiden race (1,400m) at Kranji on July 30, 2023, he suffered from tendon issues and had to be backed off.

After racing in Singapore came to a halt in October 2024, Genrich was one of the horses Mahadi brought over when he relocated to the capital of Malaysia. But, with the approval of his work permit being held up, Genrich had to come under Malaysian trainer Ooi Chin Chin's care for the time being.

The four-year-old gelding raced four times and finished fourth twice under Ooi.

After Mahadi had his work permit approved about two weeks ago, Genrich was transferred back to his yard and won a trial on April 29 before his race at Mahadi's first meeting in Malaysia on May 17.

Though the former syce currently trains 15 horses, Genrich was his only runner at the meeting.