Ewe, Au back at winner's circle

Jockeys Mark Ewe and Marcus Au bounced back to the winner's enclosure last Friday night, after two years.

Ewe, who resumed riding on Voy last Sunday after serving a one-year disqualification, steered the Alwin Tan-trained $99 outsider AFROJACK to victory in Race 4.

It was only his third ride back, having had only one other mount, Southern General in Race 3 last Friday night.

Although New Zealand-bred Afrojack came from Australia with two wins from six starts, the five-year-old was unplaced in all his 16 starts at Kranji before last Friday night's win.

LAST SUCCESS

A three-time top apprentice, Ewe's last success was on Special Account on April 29, 2012. He had 10 winners that year.

"I honestly didn't think my first win back would come so soon," said Ewe.

"I was really down after I was disqualified for one year. For the first couple of months, I went back to Penang to help my uncle with his fishing business, just to get my mind off racing.

"But I always wanted to come back and I could only hope the Singapore Turf Club would give me another chance. I would like to thank them for trusting me again."

Ewe had the tough task of getting back into shape for his comeback.

His weight had ballooned to 60kg but he reduced it to 52kg in the last three months with a lot of jogging and by cutting back on food. Au rode the John O'Hara-trained HERO SUCCESS to win by one and three-quarter lengths in Race 6.

"I couldn't believe it," said the Malaysian, whose last win was on Riezo on Feb 12, 2012.

"The old awesome feeling came back. I am really thankful to John O'Hara and the owner for giving me the opportunity."

Recalling his last winner, he said: "I fought a ding-dong battle with Joe Moreira (Chateauneuf Dupape) to the wire and beat him by a head. I also survived an objection.

"After that, I had a riding accident in the morning and I sustained multiple fractures in my foot and that put me out for six to seven months."

In total, he rode in only 18 races that year.

Last year, he had 37 rides for two thirds.

Hero Success paid $18 for a win, and was Au's 12th ride for this season.

In the final race last night, apprentice Kif Toh made a winning debut on the Mohd Yusof-trained LEAVE ME ALONE, who paid a thumping $329 for a win.

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