A’Isisuhairi “Harry” Kassim, 40, marked his homecoming with a double astride Aniki and Wait U Know at Sungai Besi today.

Born in Kelantan, A’Isisuhairi honed his craft in New Zealand and rode in Singapore for 12 years from 2012 to 2024 before heading to South Korea a few months before Kranji closed down.

In the “land of the monring calm”, A’Isisuhairi rode 70 winners in two seasons in the all-sand jurisdiction.

“I missed racing on turf” was one of the reasons he is finally coming home. But the father of two is back mainly for family reason.

A’Isisuhairi drew blanks on three rides yesterday and was again unplaced in the opening race today.

Not that he needed to familiarise himself with the track – he rode four winners at Sungai Besi at the occasional hit-and-run when based at Kranji – but just the right horse to get him off the ground.

That came in the Class 4A – 1400m handicap on Aniki.

The Outreach galloper won four races in Singapore from late 2023 to 2024 including three on the trot but has failed to strike in 19 previous starts after crossing over to Malaysia, although he was placed eight times.

Aniki was the first to break and led early but a very keen Storm Chaser took over the running making the turn out of the back straight.

Aniki stayed second on the rails and when Storm Chaser swung wide turning into the home straight, Aniki picked up the lead again on his inside at the 400m.

Artois came with a late bid in the final 100m but Aniki had enough to spare, winning by 1-1/4 length. Storm Chaser, running all over the place with rookie apprentice Lim Weng Hooi astride, came on again at the finish to take third placing.

“It was good to ride my first winner on this horse especially I know the horse from Singapore,” said A’Isisuhairi although he did not ride the gelding at Kranji.

“I know he has not won in Malaysia but it’s good to see that he is back in winning form.

“I am pleased to get the job done for the connections and it’s good to get my first winner (back) in Malaysia as well.”

A’Isisuhairi then doubled up in the final event (Class 5A – 1300m) when he replaced the injured Bahauddin Sharudin on another former Singapore galloper Wait U Know.

Again A’Isisuhairi was the first to break on the Reset galloper but settled in fourth spot on the rails.

Wait U Know then prevailed in a four-way battle to the line to win by half a length from Fire with Kim Empire a similar distance away third.

A one-time winner at Kranji, Wait U know has now picked up five wins in Malaysia.

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