HAPPY NEW WINNERS AND BUYS
The Straits Times|January 02, 2024
Double caps good season for trainer Mahadi, whos still taking newbies for last 10 months
Michael Lee
HAPPY NEW WINNERS AND BUYS

Mahadi Taib snapped a mini-run of outs with a Kranji training double at the very last day of hostilities on Dec 30.

But the Singaporean handler said he had not been under any kind of pressure to restart a win counter that had stalled at winner No. 17, Red Dragon on Oct 9.

"I was aiming for 15 winners this year. I got 19, so I'm quite happy with my season. I don't have any superstars, just honest bread-andbutter sorts," he said.

The 52-year-old has certainly made good use of the craft he honed under trainers Michael Clements and Theo Kieser, among others, with a decent first haul of nine winners in 2022.

The stable then grew in numbers, but not quite in its calibre. His only top-rated horse Surpass Natural (90 points) has not found the line in three years.

Going with the run-of-the-mill tools available, 19 winners were certainly a cause for celebration, more so when the final brace came from two Kranji maidens, Legend Of Niagara and Colonel Son.

Not only such account openers at the last meeting were confidenceboosters on the cusp of a new start, but they also rewarded Mahadi's patience and hard work.

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