Saifudin had earlier ridden the Mahadi Taib-trained Hamama ($38) to victory in the $50,000 Class 4 Division 1 race over 1000m. Coincidentally, both winners were first-up after bleeding attacks.

But it was Moongate Star ($200) who took the limelight after his impressive win in a field that included the exciting Lord Justice (Jerlyn Seow), who was gunning for five-in-a-row, the smart Silent Is Gold  (Ronnie Stewart) and $15 favourite, Dancing Light (Manoel Nunes).

After the jump,I Am Sacred  (Jake Bayliss) crossed Lord Justice to lead early with Moongate Star  and Silent Is Gold for company on the speed, but the latter two did plenty of work punching the breeze.

It was game on entering the straight with the three on-pace runners going stride for stride. When Seow made her move on Lord Justice from one-back on the rails at the furlong post, it was a four-way-go and no place for the faint-hearted.

While I Am Sacred tired late, it was still anyone's race to win with 100m to go but under hands-and-heels riding from the experienced Saifudin, Moongate Star prevailed by half-a-length to a gallant Silent Is Gold with Lord Justice losing no friends another half-a-length back in third.

The winning time was 1 min 4.49secs for the 1000m dash on the Polytrack and Moongate Star's fifth career win took his prizemoney to over $230,000.

Winning trainer Desmond Koh was happy but not surprised by the win.

"He won his first race right off the bat and we all know he's good fresh-up," said Koh, who welcomed his 598th winner in Singapore.

"It's a good day for him (Saifudin). We're for happy for him and the owner (Gold Hill Stable)."

No one was happier post race than the man himself, Saifudin.

"When he jumped, he was up there, so I just let him balance," explained the 54-year-old Malaysian veteran hoop to racing presenter Pat Comerford.

"I let him go coming to the straight but I didn't want to lose the momentum because (Lord Justice on) the inside and (Silent Is Gold on the) outside was close to me and if I pull the whip, I might lose momentum.

"So I just (pushed him out) hands-and-heels the whole way and then he made it to the line. Very happy!"

While the win in the highlight race was a huge surprise to many out there, the respective champions – champion jockey, apprentice jockey and trainer – of the 2022 season certainly deserved each of their thrones after all their hard work this year.

Champion jockey – Manoel Nunes

It may not have been made official until November, but Nunes was the 2022 Singapore Champion Jockey a long way out from home.

In fact, the Brazilian ace – already a three-time champion in Singapore (2014 to 2016) – probably had the race for the premiership wrapped up well before a nasty fall in June when he already had 58 wins on the board.

Nunes continued where he left off after he returned to the saddle in late September and added another 23 wins for good measure.

He eventually finished the year on 81 wins, an incredible 38 in front of his nearest rival – Wong Chin Chuen - who rode a very credible 43 winners for the season.

While Nunes has ridden more winners in a season – 123 in 2015 – his strike rate of 29.35% in 2022 put his previous best strike rate of 21.81% well and truly in the shade.

"It is more special to come back from that nasty fall after three months and still lead by a lot and win in the end," Nunes said.

"I'm very lucky to have a lot of support from the trainers and owners and also to be back riding in Singapore after being stuck in Brazil for two years.

"Hopefully, I can win more Cup races next year and try for the champion jockey title again!"

Champion apprentice jockey – Yusoff Fadzli

In the apprentice ranks, it was a more open race with Yusoff Fadzli winning his first champion apprentice jockey title with 22 wins – but not without a fight.

Indentured to trainer Donna Logan, the Malaysian-born rider was the go-to-hoop for many stable but with fellow apprentice jockeys Iskandar Rosman (17 wins) and Seow (15 wins) also knocking in winners on a regular basis, Yusoff had to be on his game till the very end.

His healthy winning strike rate at 11.76% also made Yusoff the punters' pal and a jockey to follow in 2023 after his promotion to the senior rank in the new year.

"Of course, I want to thank Donna who supported me throughout the year," said the happy Yusoff, who was unfortunately stood down after four rides on Saturday due to a sprain in his left knee.

"Not only did Donna gave me very good rides but also let me ride for other trainers which helped me win the title.

"I also really want to thank (Stephen Gray's assistant-trainer) Saimee (Jumaat) because he was the one who helped me apply for a licence here and taught me a lot about riding.

"I'm very happy with my first (champion apprentice jockey) title and as a jockey next year, I hope to be in the Top 5 if I can."

Champion trainer – Tim Fitzsimmons

The race that went down to wire was the trainers' premiership with Tim Fitzsimmons only being crowned the winner officially after the third race at the final meeting of the year.

A head-to-head battle with Donna Logan for most of the season made for compulsory viewing for all concerned and it was still anyone's game with just a handful of meetings to go.

In fact, Logan had her nose in front (on more second placings) on turning for home with the pair locked on 56 wins at the end of October. But Fitzsimmons grew wings late with consecutive trebles on November 5, 13 and 19 to secure his first trainer's title with 65 wins, six clear of Logan on 59.

"It's a great thrill," said a relieved Fitzsimmons.

"I've been here 15 years and (late trainer) Laurie (Laxon) was a hero of mine – he won nine titles – so to be on the honour board with him; it's a very proud moment.

"It's been an amazing battle with Donna – she was one of the first people to congratulate me – and I think we brought the best out of each other all year.

"I have too many people to thank for, my parents for supporting a crazy dream to train, my amazing wife (Joan) and three kids for supporting (me) during Covid-19, which were tough times for everyone.

"And I couldn't have learned the training game off a better person than (ex-Kranji trainer) Cliff Brown. Not just a boss; a great friend.

"All the staff – I can't name them all. We all work long hours and pride ourselves on attention to detail. All the jockeys too – Manoel and Vlad (Duric) especially. A massive effort by everyone.

"My owners are amazing. They let me train and again, too many to mention but without them, I wouldn't have won the title.

"This (Singapore) is my home and it's a real honour."