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Champion jockey Joao Moreira made the return trip to Singapore worthwhile when he guided Machfive to victory in the $65,000 Novice Stakes over 1100m on the Polytrack on Friday night.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
Taking a sit behind the pace, Machfive ran away in the straight to record a three-length victory over Angry Cat (Oscar Chavez) with Baby Face (Saimee Jumaat) two-and-a-half lengths away third.
After landing the Longines Hong Kong International Jockey Series at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, Moreira arrived back in Singapore on Thursday for Friday night’s meeting.
He returns to Hong Kong on Saturday to partner Super Easy in the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint over 1200m at Sha Tin on Sunday before heading on to Brazil for a well-earned break.
Some questioned why Moreira would return for the one meeting, but his professionalism and the fact his family had returned to Brazil convinced him to ride on Friday night.
“My family has already gone back to Brazil and I would have been sitting alone in Hong Kong or alone here in Singapore,” said Moreira.
“I like to be riding. That is my job and that is the reason why I came back to ride here tonight.”
The victory provided the Brazilian ace with win number 204 for the 2012 season, giving him a margin of 132 victories over his nearest rival in Stephen Baster.
Moreira said it was his intention to try and lead on Machfive but the other two – Oriental Pearl (Greg Cheyne) and Angry Cat – went too quickly so he decided to let them go and take the sit.
“I wanted to go forward and cross but they went too quickly for us,” said Moreira. “I let them go and sat back and watched the fight.
“He relaxed quite well before I got him to the outside in the straight and he really sprinted home hard.
“That was a good strong win and he’s had a good year.”
Machfive’s victory put trainer Michael Freedman one win clear in the Trainer’s Premiership race with Laurie Laxon with three more meetings to go after Friday night.
James Peters, Freedman’s assistant, said the win would help ease the pressure with the “boss” in Hong Kong preparing Super Easy.
“It would be nice to get another one and be a couple in front when Michael comes home,” said Peters.
“It was pleasing to see this horse win again. He was a bit slow out and got crowded last time.
“Overall he has been a most honest horse and tonight he did a really good job as he always tries his heart out.
“And we can’t forget Joao who gave him a great ride.”
Machfive is a three-year-old gelding by Not A Single Doubt from the Made Of Gold mare Unrocel Gem and was an A$130,000 yearling purchase.
From his eight starts, Machfive has now registered two victories and four minor placings and took his prizemoney past the $100,000 for the O & T Stable.
Following the running of Race 5, the Singapore Turf Club made a special presentation to Moreira for his achievements of winning two International Jockeys Series in the past three weeks.
Moreira was successful in South Africa in November before his Hong Kong success.
Moreira later added a double to his record when successful aboard Gold Halo in the $35,000 Maiden Stakes over 1200m for Michael Clements.
The champion jockey finished the 2012 season with 206 winners to his credit after riding yet another treble for the year in claiming the final event on Friday night - the $35,000 Maiden Stakes over 1200m - aboard the Theo Kieser-trained Wairakei.