Kuah lands his 100th winner at Last
The strapping chestnut fought his way to an all-the-way win, bringing up Kuah's 11th winner last year. Then, he ran fourth in a Class 4 Division 1 race over the 6 f on January 7, less than three lengths behind eventual winner Ima.
Backing up slightly more than two weeks later, Last Samurai ($22) took up the running as per his usual customary role in the $50,000 Class 4 race (1200m) and at no point looked to give up his position.
Regular partner Louis-Philippe Beuzelin gave him a few reminders of the whip in the straight before the four-year-old American gelding held off his seven rivals to score.
Rocket Ryane (Rozlan Nazam) came up short by one-and-three-quarters length, while Rocky (Mohd Zaki) finished another half-a-length away in third.
The winning time was 1min 11.98secs for the 6 f on the Polytrack in the downpour.
The Singaporean handler was beaming at the winner's circle as he welcomed his 100th winner, together with owners from the Like Me Stable.
"I forgot at first, but I just remembered that he's my 100th winner (after the win)! So happy to get my first winner and also my 100th winner on (the second day Chinese New Year," said Kuah, who bagged his first career win with Smart Fortune on April 8, 2016.
"I expected him to run a very good race. I wasn't worried about the rain at all because American-breds tend to handle the wet ground easily.
"You need to ride him in the right place and get the right pace. He is a challenging horse, but also very honest.
"We'll see how he pulls up before we plan his next race.
"The future is filled with uncertainties, so honestly, I have not set any goals for myself given the current circumstances.
"We try our very best to train every horse and wish for more winners as we It's also very important to have the support of owners."
Beuzelin was glad to get on the scoresheet and to win the race for Kuah, whom he rides for regularly.
"I didn't know that's his 100th winner but congrats to CT and the owners," said the French rider.
"I'm very lucky and thankful to be riding for them.
"He (Last Samurai) needed the run at his last start, so they used that as a prep. I was sure he'd be up in the mix before the race.
"I feel that he's improved a bit from last year, and the way he won today was quite good.
"He's a one-paced horse, he'd keep going."
With two wins and five placings in 12 starts, Last Samurai has amassed slightly over $90,000 in prizemoney for his connections.
