Newly-licenced apprentice Zulhilmi Marzuki enjoyed a dream debut in the saddle when he booted home Forest Gold to win a Class 5B – 1300m handicap at Sungai Besi today, landing a betting plunge on the Star Witness galloper.

Seconds before the race, big money on the Frank Maynard-trained gelding saw him went off as the even-money favourite.

His backers might have had their hearts in their mouths early in the race when Forest Gold trailed the nine-horse field.

Around the 600m mark, however, Zulhilmi made a swift move forward to get Forest Gold closer to the leaders, headed by Pacific Empire who set the pace from the start. He was followed by Tangesh, The Wild Chief and Ari.

Tangesh joined Pacific Empire making the turn into the straight with The Wild Chief and Smart Like Jason racing together next. Then came Ari and Forest Gold.

Pacific Empire beat off Tangesh and was nicely clear with 200m to go.

With the front runners stretched across the wet track, Forest Gold took advantage of a big gap on the rails on the inside of Pacific Empire.

Slowly but surely closing the gap, Forest Gold got up in the last 50m to beat Pacific Empire by a neck.

It’s the Australian gelding’s second win in the country, following a maiden success in Singapore last year.

Zulhilmi, 23, is the latest in an increasing line of young lads from Kelantan to join the riding ranks, following the footsteps on his older brother Akmazani, who also started off with Maynard before going to Singapore to ply his traide and is now back in the country.

“Thanks to my boss (Maynard) and the owner (Grasshopper Stable), I was able to able to ride this horse,” said Zulhilmi. “First ride, first win. I am very happy.

“I galloped the horse and he worked well so I was quite confident of a win.”

Zulhilmi finished third on Tau Keh Soh in his only other ride of his debut meeting – a race which was won by his brother Akmazani on Stop The Water (see separate report).

“Ths boy (Zulhilmi) has been with me for a long time. He came to me when he was very young. He’s like a son to me,” said Maynard.

“He’s very loyal. He followed me when I moved to Penang (briefly) and came back to Kuala Lumpur with me when I moved back. I am proud of him.

“He rode like a senior rider today. He is very strong and has a bright future. Definitely one to watch.”

Maynard  should know. He has a proven track record of producing some fine riders, the likes of Akmazani, Simon Kok, Hakim Kamaruddin and Aiman Nazir.