In the space of an hour on Sunday, jockey Din Aziz's unremarkable career was turned on its head as he saddled up as a late substitute to become the first Singaporean in eight years to win the S$1m Singapore Derby.

The 32-year-old stepped in for the ill Oscar Chavez to ride Lim's Prestige to victory in the Group One race at Kranji for the biggest success of his life in the saddle.

"This is my first Group One," grinned the mud-spattered jockey.

"I've won a Group race with Royal Captain but this beats everything," he told reporters.

"I feel like I am on top of the moon," added Aziz after his first ride aboard the unfancied gelding.

World Delight was second, a neck ahead of Jade in the 14-horse, 2,000 metre race.

Saimee Jumaat had been the last home-grown jockey to win the Derby, riding Ouzo and Par Excellence to victory in 1998 and 1999.

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