Young apprentice jockey Ryan Plumb closes the chapter on his Singapore stint this Friday, only to open a new door to a new adventure in another foreign land.

The 18-year-old Queenslander will ride in New Zealand for trainer John Sargent for three months, after his application for an extension to his three-month permit – which runs out on Friday - at Kranji was turned down, mainly due to a limit set on the number of expatriate riders.

“I’m pretty disappointed I won’t get to stay here longer, but at the same time I’m looking forward to the new job in New Zealand,” said Plumb who sits second on the apprentice premiership with 10 wins from 130 rides.

He revealed that Sargent, a former Malaysia-based champion trainer, now established in Matamata, gave him the call-up through his father Lyle, himself a trainer in Brisbane.

“I know the stakes money in New Zealand is not that great but there isn’t much happening in Queensland, more so with the equine influenza,” said Plumb, who has crossed the Tasman Sea only as a tourist before.

“And I would have claimed only 1 ½ kilos if I rode in Australia.”

Back from Trial No 2, Ryan Plumb (Diamond Dust), left, rides alongside one of his favourite horses, King And King (Julie Burridge).

Plumb had only ridden trackwork in Dubai and France before his first overseas contract in Singapore.

“It’s a shame I’m leaving Singapore because I had settled in really well in the last few weeks with three winners. Steven’s (Burridge) horses are really starting to fire now,” said Plumb, whose most memorable win remains the one aboard King And King on July 1.

Burridge, his mentor during his stay here, had been more than impressed with the youngster’s attitude.

“Besides being a rider with a bright future, Ryan is a hard worker and has been an asset to our stables from Day-1,” said the former Melbourne jockey, who hopes to see Plumb back at Kranji one day.

“Yeah, I would love to come back one day,” said Plumb. “Before I came here, I thought it’d be boring to race just once a week, but I really love the atmosphere here, especially on raceday.”

Copyright 2006 Singapore Turf Club