Allowed to use the whip for the first time, seized the opportunity to steer Final Touch  home to register his first career win in the Class 3 – 1100m handicap at Sungei Besi here today.

It was the 13th ride for Haikal who becomes the latest to graduate from riding ponies in his native Kelantan to winning races in the capital.

Placed twice on Final Touch last month when he could only ride hands and heels, the first-season apprentice made it count this time.

Haikal had Final Touch settled just behind the pace like the two runs before. But this time, he was able to pull the whip on the eight-year-old who produced the best finish among a line of four horses vying for the lead at 200m.

Final Touch won by 1 3/4 lengths and has been very consistent with one win and three placings in as many starts since coming from Singapore.

The son Of Perfectly Ready scored three times in 23 starts at Kranji. He had raced in good company at three and four in New Zealand for two wins at Avondale and Te Aroha.

"I am happy to make this breakthrough," said Haikal.

"My instructions were to lead if possible or else sit behind the pace. When I used the whip on him, he responded very well and that's when I knew he was going to win today.

"I would like to thank everybody who has helped me to where I am today.

Haikal was brought up with ponies in his backyard. He started riding at the age of eight and by 14, was competing in races on the beach in Kelantan.

After meeting A'Isisuhairi Kassim, a top apprentice in Singapore who also hails from Kelantan, he was determined to become a professional jockey.

Upon graduating from secondary school, Haikal spent a year riding ponies in Kelantan before he was introduced by a friend to work at the Penang Turf Club with trainer Lim Hoon Seng.

When Cheng Han Yong set up his stables at the Selangor Turf Club, Haikal moved to Kuala Lumpur to join the trainer. He was enrolled in the apprentice school a year ago.