Ford off the mark in Singapore

Sydney jockey Jay Ford wasted little time getting off the mark in Singapore winning his first ride at the beginning of a five month contract.

Famous for his association with international sprinter Takeover Target, Ford decided to take up the opportunity to ride in Singapore after experiencing victory on his favourite horse in the KrisFlyer Sprint in May.

Although he will do most of his riding for the fledgling stable of Michael Freedman, it was premier trainer Laurie Laxon who provided Ford with his first winner, Ace Amadeus, at Kranji on Friday night.

With Ford judging the pace to a nicety, Ace Amadeus held-off a determined challenge from Pacific Hunter (Robbie Fradd) to score by a short head with Sonic (Taib Affandi) a length-and-a-quarter third.

"I couldn't have wish for a better start to my stint here," Ford told the Singapore Turf Club's website.

"Thats two from two for me here."

Ford was full of praise for Ace Amadeus who was left alone in front during the 1600m contest.

"He's no Takeover Target but he's a handy little horse," he said.

"We got a pretty easy time in front and that probably won it for us. The other horse headed us in the straight but he showed plenty of fight."

Ace Amadeus was having just his sixth start and registered his second win.

Laxon also celebrated victory in the feature race on the night with Waikato in the Group Three Jumbo Jet Trophy.

It was Waikato's first win at 1400 metres and cemented his place as one of the most exciting horses ever to race in Singapore.

After being crowded mid-race, Waikato was four lengths of the lead at the top of the straight but gathered in the leaders to beat Fantastic Owners by a half length.