Friday, 30 November 2018: Troy See to ride Ouzo may sound like a bad Kranji remake of the old Back To The Future franchise.

But that may well be the main headline to have come out for Singapore’s representative from the draw for rides of the Air Mauritius & Attitude International Jockeys’ Weekend (IJW) 2018 in Mauritius on Wednesday night.

If you are still sniggering about heads softened up by a surfeit of tropical sun or Mauritian rum, it’s not the case - or at least, not yet.


See has indeed drawn a horse named Ouzo among the 13 horses he was allotted at the ceremony staged at the Attitude Ravanela Hotel.



Not that Ouzo who was one of Singapore’s most feted trailblazers, the only locally-trained galloper to have won the now-defunct Singapore Airlines International Cup, sensationally at its very first inception in 2000, and would now be 25.



This new Ouzo is a Mauritian-trained galloper, obviously named by owners inspired by the same Greek liqueur – and for good reason as the dam is Anise, the main ingredient of the aperitif.

See, who is still an apprentice jockey but comes out of his time from January 1, was still in primary school when Ouzo, the Eres Tu Stable-owned version ruled the Singapore turf, but he straightaway joined the dots when the name Ouzo popped up in his ballot box.



“I wish it was the same Ouzo! But I heard he was my best chance among my 13 rides,” said See who landed in Mauritius with wife Peiwen on Tuesday evening.



“I had Brandon Louis (Mauritian apprentice jockey set to start a three-month stint in Singapore next year) by my side at the draw and he was giving me all the juice on the horses I drew.



“I also met Ouzo’s owners and they gave me some more pointers. It sounds like he will be a favourite in his race, and I can only go out there and try my best.”



Ouzo is running in the Zilwa Attitude Cup on Saturday in Race 5 and with a handicap of 58.5kgs is among the lightest weights See will be slapped with over the double weekend action (second Leg of the jockeys’ challenge is on Sunday).



“My lightest is 57.5kgs (Jet Path on Sunday). I can enjoy the buffet at the hotel a bit better!” said See, who, in a not too recent past, was struggling to make lighter weights.



But See is not at the Indian Ocean island on a gastronomic tour. He is well bent on making a good fist of his first jockeys’ challenge, especially after he was agonisingly deprived of his seat through suspension in the Premier Gateway International Jockeys Challenge in Singapore in September.



Just to be there among international heavy-hitters like Maxime Guyon, Robbie Fradd, Dwayne Dunn, Seamus Heffernan, to name a few, had the Singaporean, who turns 30 on Saturday, pinching himself.

“It’s a huge honour for me to represent Singapore at this prestigious jockeys’ series, and here I can’t be thankful enough to Michael Lee for helping me get this invitation,” said See.



“I’m really flattered to be picked. I will be turning 30 soon, but I’m still the new kid compared to these much more accomplished jockeys from around the world.



“It’s a milestone in my life I will never forget, whether I win a race or not, because it happened when I also celebrated my 30th birthday.



“The hospitality has been amazing, the country is beautiful. Peiwen and myself are really enjoying every minute of our stay at the hotel.



“I’ve also been impressed by the Mauritians’ passion for horse racing. It’s such a small island, but there is such a big turnout even at tonight’s draw.



“I’ll be going to the track on Friday, just to ride a couple of horses and get a good feel of the track. I was told there would be a big crowd there as well!”


See is the current leading Singapore apprentice jockey and is all poised to collect his first title even if he will miss this weekend’s Kranji action on Friday and Sunday, unless defending champion apprentice jockey Wong Chin Chuen bridges the eight-win gap with a late rally.



The annual Mauritius jockey’s series has attracted 11 other top jockeys from around the world, namely previous winners Maxime Guyon (France) and Robbie Fradd (South Africa, and just-crowned Mauritius champion jockey), former three-time Singapore champion jockey Manoel Nunes (Brazil), local hero Jameer Allyhosain, and also newcomers Dwayne Dunn (Australia), Seamus Heffernan (Ireland), Manuel Martinez (Chile), Akshay Kumar (India), Aurelien Lemaitre (France), Mickaelle Michel (France), and last but not least, See’s fellow Kranji jockey Nooresh Juglall, who, however, represents his hometown.

Obviously a lot more in his element, having regularly ridden at the tight and tricky Champ de Mars racecourse and a couple of IJW’s, the South African-trained Juglall was, however, not doing cartwheels after he took stock of his rides.



“Not the best rides, I’m afraid. Uncle JB is probably my best ride,” said Juglall, who was accompanied by wife Chaaya and his parents at the draw.



“Overdose, Zodiac Jack and Ashfords Legacy aren’t too bad, but I’d be very surprised if I win on the rest. All I wish is to win at least one race.



“I’m very happy Troy See is here with me this year. He’s got some good rides, I hope he wins one race and enjoys his trip in Mauritius.”

Troy See's and Nooresh Juglall's rides at IJW 2018           See   Juglall         Saturday               Race 1 Imperial Dancer   No ride Race 2 Querari's Secret   Uncle JB Race 3 Sunset Breeze   Zodiac Jack Race 4 No ride   In Your Dreams Race 5 Ouzo   Bonnie Prince Race 6 No ride   No ride Race 7 Wow Holiday   Fury Race 8 Red Indy   Emerald Victory         Sunday               Race 1 Shafaaf   Majestic Moon Race 2 A P Strike   Winter Is Coming Race 3 Fegentri race   Fegentri race Race 4 Olympic Bolt   Overdose Race 5 Mutzi   Trap Lord Race 6 The Thinker   Victory Team Race 7 Greatfiveeight   No ride Race 8 Jet Path   Ashfords Legacy