Kuala Lumpur : Mar 11, 2025

Big Max sheds maiden tag, keeps Kranji’s doyen of ex-trainers busy in the racing game

Big Max has a catchy name he has not quite lived up to, but he finally broke the duck – not at his original home turf at Kranji, but at his very first outing in Malaysia.

Often a popular pick among pundits and punters alike, the son of Charm Spirit has, however, flattered to deceive at most of his 18 starts in Singapore.

He even figured among the early juvenile favourites in 2023, especially after a second to Artillery in a 2YO race, but the noted speedster always got swamped late.

A change of pattern to waiting tactics towards the end of his 3YO campaign did not help matters. He was eventually exported to Malaysia when his trainer Leslie Khoo relinquished his licence after Kranji closed down in October.

In keeping a 30 per cent share in the horse (other 70 per cent is owned by Sam Chee Kiong of Goal Keeper fame), Khoo somehow knew he should not give up hope, even if he had handed the reins to someone else, Kuala Lumpur trainer Nick Selvan.

The first cross-border test came in a lowly RM32,000 (S$9,600) Class 5B (1,400m). After a quick call with Selvan, Khoo was prepared to wait for another day for that vindication, though.

“Honestly, I didn’t have a single bet on him. He has not raced for five months and Nick told me he had dropped 25kg,” said Khoo, who at 71, was the doyen of the last 14 trainers left standing at Singapore’s farewell race day on Oct 5.

“Nick told me the horse has been working well. He said he told the apprentice (Azizi Azhari) to do his best, and to go forward as that’s the way he runs.

“But I told him the horse cannot win if he is so light.”

The former top jockey would end up eating his words – but he clearly did not mind being a bad judge.

Scrubbed up early by Azizi, Big Max took up the running relatively easily, but not without the pesky presence of Behind Player (Andre da Silva) on his outside.

It was not an unfamiliar watch for Khoo. When Big Max is softened up by another horse, he usually capitulates rather meekly in the straight.

But it suddenly dawned on Khoo that, except for Sabah Win (Laercio de Souza), the other 10 horses were paddling away – and it might well be Big Max’s big payday.

“I watched the race on TV from home. When I saw the rest of the field struggling and only one horse (Sabah Win) was still a threat, I thought maybe he had a chance to go all the way,” said Khoo.

“He surprised me with the way he fought. Too bad I didn’t put any money on him, especially as the payout was so good ($111), but I’m happy he finally won.

“I always thought he was quite a good horse. He ran well in two Restricted Maiden races back in Singapore, even finishing second once.

“But because the Club was closing, maybe we pushed him too hard to make it for the 2YO races and eventually the 3YO races.

“The older he gets, the better he’ll get. Horses by Charm Spirit mature late.”

It was better late than never in Big Max’s case, even if Khoo’s patience had been wearing thin – as it turned out, well into a retirement, which he has adjusted to, albeit with withdrawal symptoms.

“I’m just taking it easy these days, drinking kopi with my friends. I don’t play golf; when I play it’s the club that goes in the hole, not the ball,” Khoo quipped.

“For sure I miss racing. It was my job and my passion, I was so happy to see the horses at the stables every day.

“I have only a few trophies left, mainly my whips for champion jockey. But because I had so many trophies at the stables, I gave away most of them to my two daughters, Fiona and Simone.

“I’ve got to move on, but, I kept shares in three horses just to stay in the game. It gives me something to look forward to when they run in Malaysia.

“I own 50 per cent in Tennet Tentennet as well as Delilah. I sent both to (trainer Veerapen) Sivan.

“The other 50 per cent is under Peter Teo’s Grand Stable. Peter used to be an owner with Tan Hor Khoon.

“Tennet Tentennet ran a very good second on the same day. He should be close to a win, too.”

Source : Michael Lee