The affable Malaysian jockey rode in Singapore at the Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup meeting last November before flying to France to celebrate his wedding and enjoy two months of honeymoon in Europe with his French wife Lola. He also worked for leading French trainer Jerome Reynier and rode two thirds at his race debut in Calais in March.
Following a call-up from Eric Koh, the manager of the Falcon Racing Stable, Kok returned to ride in Singapore at the end of April. He was given the last-minute leg-up on Red Maned after Singaporean jockey Darren Danis was indisposed on Saturday and made full use of the opportunity to open his account in 2024.
After a swift jump from barrier 10, Kok bustled the five-year-old son of Burgundy up to the front before War Warrior (Faiz Khair) came from his inside to take over the lead in the backstraight. Red Maned followed closely in second but almost immediately regained the lead upon turning for home.
The $142-outsider briefly shied in at the 250m but Kok straightened him up and got him going again before last-start winner Sacred Gold (Ryan Curatolo), who was making up ground on the outside, could threaten him further.
Red Maned finished a length ahead of Sacred Gold, while Captain Singapore (Saifudin Ismail) ran another neck away in third. The winning time was 1 min 12.43secs for the 1200m on the Polytrack.
The two-time Singapore champion apprentice jockey in 2019 and 2020, who last won on the Steven Burridge-trained Hasten on 20 August, was relieved with a winner at his fourth meeting back.
"I expected (the wait for the win) with the current situation, but I've been fortunate to have support every week and I'm lucky to get a winner today," said Kok humbly.
"(Trainer Donna Logan's senior track rider) Chi (Chihiro Iizuka) messaged me this morning and I've got no ride (in the opener). The horse (Red Maned) ran a place (third) at his last start (on 12 May), so why not?
"He bounced out good from the gate. He was actually the first one out.
"We had to work it out from the wide barrier but the horse from inside (War Warrior ) took him into the race nicely.
"I relaxed him and coming to the 500m, he kept on going. I was a bit worried at the last 200m because the horse on the outside (Sacred Gold) got closer.
"But I kept riding him hands and heels and he ran to the line rather nicely."
Logan was happy for Kok too.
"Good for Simon who finally got his first win after a long time," said the New Zealand trainer.
"He's (Red Maned) a horse with pace, so I told him (Kok) to let him lead or else, box-seat.
"He's a one-paced horse and he needs to get into a good rhythm. Simon rode him well."
With two wins in 24 starts, Red Maned has earned close to $60,000 in prizemoney for owner Ng Boon Kiat.
