Two-Time Champion Apprentice Returns

Apprenticed to Mark Walker at Matamata, and twice Champion apprentice in Singapore, Shafiq Rusof (31) has returned to the riding ranks in New Zealand, where he will be working for Te Akau Racing and based again in Matamata.

It is 2008 Matamata, Rizuan Shafiq, aka Shafiq or Suppy, arrives in a pair of shorts and jandals, he was the only staff member Mark Walker had when he landed seven years ago in Singapore, and he rode his 100^th winner in 2015.

Shafiq was among riders not relicensed at the close of the season in Singapore, 31 December, and looked polished aboard Te Akau youngsters at the trials on Tuesday 6 March at Taupo.

“He's a gun rider and he'll be a big asset to the riding ranks in New Zealand,” Walker said. “He's held his own against the likes of Joao Moreira, Gerald Mosse, Glen Boss, Michael Rodd, Vlad Duric. He rode a lot of winners and more than held his own against class jockeys in a very competitive environment.

“Basically, at the end of last season, they (Singapore Turf Club) didn't relicense Nunes, Shafiq, Oscar Chavez, they wanted to get some new jockeys in, and he can reapply after doing a stint in New Zealand.

“He can ride as light as 53kgs, use the stick in both hands, rode a lot of winners for us here in Singapore, and to win two apprentice titles you've got to be a gun jock because the competition is a lot tougher than it is at home.

“To win a Singapore Gold Cup for Pat Shaw, one of the greatest trainers Singapore has had, while still an apprentice just shows his class and the high esteem he was held in.  When Pat Shaw puts you on as an apprentice in a Gold Cup, and you win it, it really tells you something, and I think he's the only apprentice to win Singapore's biggest race.”

Walker also recounted an interesting story about Shafiq starting out:

“He came out as a track rider from Malaysia, to work for us, and one morning poor old David Johnson broke his leg at the jump outs. He was riding with Leith Innes and Opie (Bosson), and we had them going in threes. Opie said: “put that fella (Shafiq) on” and I said “he's never been in the barriers”. Opie said: “Don't worry, I'll teach him what to do”. So, he rode jump outs with Leith and Opie all morning and at the end of it, Opie said: “you should apprentice that kid, shit he can ride.”

“His English is pretty good, actually, and people in New Zealand know what a good jockey he is. He's a talent, and even better now with his experience in Singapore.  He just needs the opportunities and if he gets them, he'll fly.”

With five premiership wins in New Zealand, and two already in Singapore, Walker had a winner, four seconds, and four thirds, last weekend at Kranji.

“That was a bit frustrating, but the horses are all racing well and sooner or later the tide will turn,” Walker said.

“I said to Dave (Ellis) at the start of the season, end of March, early April, we'll hit out straps again.  We had a lot of winners last year that went up in the grades, and all horses went up five points at the end of season, so they just need to find their rightful grade before winning again.”