BIGGER WORRIES ECLIPSE 2ND TITLE

Trainer Ong puts tilt at 1st Gl with unlikely Gold Cup runner, future over another gong

- Michael Lee

Under normal circumstances, trainer Jason Ong would have given at least a fist bump after Behind Player's win on Sept 14.

Innocuous as the Class 5 win was, that 75th win in 2024 had effectively handed Ong a second Singapore champion trainer title in a row, three meetings from the end.

Back in second place on 44 wins, Daniel Meagher could not catch him any more not that he ever had a chance in hell to bridge the chasm even if he miraculously won all the remaining 30 races.

Such is the contrast of Ong's two gongs. In 2023, it was hugs and high-fives all round once he knew defending champion Tim Fitzsimmons could not peg him back.

This time, he only found out when he was told.

With the back-to-back titles a no-brainer from a long way out, nobody had been keeping tabs, especially when the end was nigh.

"With the end so near now (Oct 5), we're all feeling it," said Ong.

"Nobody's really interested with the premiership.

"But it's still nice to win it for the second and last time. It's again all about teamwork, great owners."