Misbah (29) is returning to Malaysia on Sunday after riding 235 winners, including 115 as an apprentice, in New Zealand. He will continue riding, linking with the Penang stable of M.H. Wee for whom he rode two winners during the winter.
Misbah was the leading South Island apprentice in 2007-08 with 32 wins and the following season with 49. He was the leading South Island jockey last season with 62 wins.
Wingatui has figured prominently in the success of Misbah.
He served his apprenticeship there with Brian and Shane Anderton and rode his first winner, Vitaquette, at Wingatui in June, 2006 on his first day of race riding. Vitaquette was his second mount for the day. He remained with the Anderton stable after serving his time.
Misbah had his biggest win when he rode The Solitaire to win the listed $45,000 Dunedin Cup in February. He also won the Gore Cup and and open mile at Wingatui on The Solitaire last season.
He rates Be Ma as his best chance today. Be Ma (race 5) is trained by the Andertons. The Savabeel mare finished eighth at Wingatui on September 4 when resuming.
Misbah also rides Powder Creek (race 6) for the stable.
He rides Lucille (race 4) for Steve Anderton, the trainer of The Solitaire. Lucille is resuming from a spell after placing at Riverton and Wingatui in two starts as a 2yr-old. She won a trial at Wingatui on September 12.
Howbaddouneedit, his mount in the last race on the card, has not raced since she won over 1600m at Riccarton in May.
Misbah rode the mare to win at Motukarara two starts earlier.
She is trained by Tarsha and Michael Stokes. They have Flying Alibi, whom Misbah has ridden in five of his six wins including the 2011 Winter Cup Trial at Ashburton.
Bruce Smith, who rode 109 winners, had his first win as a trainer at Washdyke on Monday. He won with Camo, a Coats Choice-Don't Explain 5yr-old raced by the Christchurch breeder Colin Cameron.
Smith is based at Amberley where he also operates the Green Acres Stud with his partner, Angelique Hyde. They stand Ruby's Jester and King Of Roses. Kingmaker, who stood there, died last year.
Smith served his apprenticeship with John Parsons at Balcairn. Smith has Bestia engaged in race 1 today.
