After having gone missing in action for more than four months, Hakim Kamaruddin comes out of the blue for his grand comeback at the races this Saturday.

The young Malaysian apprentice jockey took Kranji by storm at his second year of riding last year, when he rode 59 winners and was crowned the Singapore champion jockey in both the senior and junior category. He is only the second rider to pull off that feat since Benny Woodworth in 1995.

Unfortunately, Hakim was suspended for three months for hitting the Mark Walker trained-Motakhayyel (now renamed as Xanthos) on the head in a race on November 14, which was not the first time the young man had fallen foul of the Stewards for various disciplinary indiscretions.

Walker, his ex-boss, did consider bringing Hakim to New Zealand to further sharpen his riding skills and also to "clear his head", but the plan was shelved after the four-time Singapore champion trainer returned to New Zealand himself. 

His indentures were transferred to another Kiwi trainer in Donna Logan, while he became the only apprentice jockey to be given a six-month licence for 2022. Still, he had not been seen at the tracks until last Saturday.

Kranji racegoers must have been wondering where and what the talented rider had been up to. It turned out that he flew back to his native Kelantan during his enforced holiday, but then faced some vaccination-related issues when he tried to return to Singapore.

"After my suspension, I flew home. I only came back to Singapore last Friday (April 1) and started riding trackwork on Saturday," said Hakim, who now stays in a rented place in Woodlands.

"I got to spend time with my family and friends in Kelantan. During that time, we flew 'waus' (a traditional kite found in Kelantan), and I also rode ponies once in a while.

"I had a good break, but I still watched Singapore races online, and really missed riding here. On February 2, I wanted to fly back, but I got a problem at the airport.

"I already took two (COVID-19) vaccines in Singapore before, but I didn't have the (COVID-19 vaccination certification) card with me at the airport, so I cannot come back.

"The next flight to come back was February 21. I tried again but then, I tested positive for COVID-19.

"Now I am back, but because I haven't ridden for so long, I think I'm only 50 to 60% fit. So, I took only three rides this week."

The 24-year-old rider will partner Eagle Eye  for Logan, and a newcomer Healthy Baby and Fighting Hero  for Singaporean trainer Jason Ong on Saturday.

While Hakim has not ridden Ong's two horses previously, he has ridden Eagle Eye to two wins over the 1400m on turf in eight rides.

"I rode Eagle Eye yesterday morning in trackwork. My horse is fresh and I think he is better on the turf, but I think he can improve second-up," he said.

"I also saw the replay of Fighting Hero with Danny Beasley the jockey at his last start. They ran fourth and I think he has a good chance this time."

Eagle Eye is running in the $50,000 Class 4 Polytrack race over 1200m, while Fighting Hero will face the starter in the $20,000 Maiden race over 1200m and Healthy Baby lines up in the $75,000 Restricted Maiden race over 1100m.

Hakim has noticed a few new changes in the riding ranks at Kranji, and until his new New Zealand adventure is confirmed, he will focus on rebooting his career at his old stomping ground for now.

"I know there are a few new jockeys and apprentices at Kranji this year," said Hakim, whose riding claim has dropped to one kilo starting this year as he claimed his 80th career win with Eagle Eye on November 27.

"They are good, so the competition is tougher, but I will try my best.

"I want to go to New Zealand, and that's why I want to get my fitness back as soon as I can.

"I will do my medical check-up two weeks later (April 21), but I also have to wait for my visa approval before I can go over.

"I want to ride and learn there, so I can improve myself. I want to thank Mark Walker for his support and bringing me to Singapore. Hopefully, he can help me go to New Zealand, too."

Logan may only have one ride for her new apprentice this Saturday, but she is all for supporting him at his comeback.

"The race on Polytrack will be a conditioning run for Eagle Eye," said the only female conditioner at Kranji.

"There were no suitable ones around, but he will go for one on the turf after this.

"Hakim knows the horse well, but we have only one ride for him this week. He has only three in total because his level of fitness isn't there yet."