When Newfoundluck came rattling home on the outside, South African trainer Basil Marcus thought that much-needed ice-breaker would slip away for another time.

Debutant Flying West (Sean Cormack) looked home and hosed when he hit the front at the 150m with neither Best Bid (Joao Moreira) nor Dittatore (Barend Vorster) able to answer his acceleration.

But apprentice jockey Mark Ewe had other ideas on Newfoundluck as they charged home in a bid to spoil Marcus’ party..

The winning post arrived on time for Flying West who prevailed by half-a-length over Newfoundluck, with Best Bid plugging on solidly for third another ¾ length away.

Not surprisingly, Marcus uttered the word “relief” at his first post-race interview at Kranji.

“The first win is always a huge relief for any trainer,” said the former champion jockey.

“I’ve had about eight runners before Flying West. I wouldn’t say he was a certainty but he was by far the best chance of a win I’ve had thus far.

“For a moment, I thought 'oh no the other horse will get mine', but luckily we got there on time.

“It’s been amazing to come here and be given the chance to train in this wonderful set-up.

“It’s also been a long wait for my horses. They have waited for around seven months before they could finally get ready.

“I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to my owners and my staff without whom this would not have been possible.

”It’s also a great pleasure to train this winner to a very enthusiastic bunch of South African owners under the Bidvest business banner. They’re a big conglomerate back home.”

Marcus said Flying West, a tried horse who came with a handy South African record of three wins from 12 starts, will benefit from that first local run under the belt.

“I bought him at the Magic Millions sale. He was such a magnificent Flying Spur and I was lucky to get him for the price I paid for him.

“He’s a fairly decent horse, but has a bit of an attitude. He will surely improve from that run.”

Marcus said he hoped that maiden win would be the spark that would lead to more wins on the scoreboard.

“As you know, I’m very patient with my horses. I haven’t been hard on them and they will slowly come into their own,” he said.

“This is the job I love to do and I can’t wait for more winners.”

Marcus was perhaps remembering how fickle and dangerous the horse racing industry can be at times, as he himself was a victim of its whims, and came out a lucky survivor too when he was hit in the face by a kick from one of his horses Desert Links about three weeks ago.