3 minute read
While five-time Singapore champion jockey Manoel Nunes was busy testing the waters in Australia, jockey Bruno Queiroz took the opportunity to jump back to the top of the 2024 Singapore jockeys’ premiership with a treble on Sunday.
The young Brazilian hoop went into Sunday's meeting on 45 wins, one behind Nunes before he drew equal after saluting on the well-fancied October ($11) in the $30,000 Class 5 race (1400m) for trainer Jason Ong.
Five races later, he took the outright lead in the last jockeys' premiership race after the Ong-trained War Star ($51) also saluted in the $50,000 Class 4 Division 1 race (1200m). Queiroz extending his lead to two after Onemorefortheroad ($11) continued his stellar run of late and made it three-in-a-row in the $30,000 Class 5 race (1600m).
Queiroz was onboard the James Peters-trained six-year-old at his previous two wins in Class 5 races over 1400m on 9 June and 7 July and was instrumental in the son of Proisir stepping up to the mile to score his hat-trick of wins.
It was a smart move given the slower tempo of the 1600m trip gave Onemorefortheroad ample time to cross from the wide gate nine and be placed one-out-one-back with cover behind Atlas (Chong Shin Wah), who sat on the leader's, Crown Dancing (Amirul Ismadi), flank upon settling.
On a rain-affected track, it was a line of five gallopers that made the run for home with the widest runner, Rook's Gambit (Carlos Henrique), swooping to take the lead at the 400m and looking every bit the winner.
Though wayward in his actions, Onemorefortheroad was more than up to the challenge with Queiroz working hard to get the advantage at the furlong post. The six-year-old gelding was never in doubt once he found the front and won by half-a-length over a gamed Rook's Gambit.
Pacific Beauty (Daniel Moor) ran on well to finish another two-and-a-quarter lengths back in third. The winning time was 1 min 36.51secs for the 1600m on the Short Course on the yielding ground. Onemorefortheroad's fourth win from 19 starts took his earnings to over $75,000 for connections.
Queiroz said the winning rides on Onemorefortheroad only came about due to some good fortune at the barrier trials on 30 May.
"James hadn't nominated a rider for him at the trials, so he asked me to do him a favour and I said 'no problem'," explained Queiroz.
"He won that trial (in 1 min 1.69secs) and I was impressed, so I asked James for the ride as I thought he could win.
"I had instant luck winning on my first ride on him and then again a month later.
"But I had to push him along in the second win over 1400m, so I spoke to James and said he will be better suited over the mile.
"And from the way he won today, he was strong late, so I think he can improve again over 1800m and even 2000m.
"I think he will also handle Class 4 with a lighter weight too, so there is no reason why he can't keep on winning while he is in form.
"He's a happy horse. James and his team have done a terrific job with him and I have to thank him and the owners (Super Singh Stable) for the ride."
Meanwhile, Queiroz will also try to win the last Singapore jockeys' championship.
"It's good to be on top, but still nine meetings to go," he said of his battle with Nunes, who rode two wins from six rides at his first meeting in Murray Bridge, Adelaide on Saturday.
"It would be an honour to win it (Singapore champion jockey) as my godfather (jockey Joao Moreira) won it four times.
"But I can't win it without the support of trainers like Jason who gave me another two wins today. So, I have to thank Jason, his team and his owners.
"And trainers like James, Ricardo (Le Grange), Tim (Fitzsimmons), KS (Tan Kah Soon) and all the others that gave me good rides.
"I'm grateful and hopefully, I can repay their trust in supporting me.
"My girlfriend (Kemilly Rodrigues) is also bringing me good luck and that helps!"
Fellow Brazilian hoop Bernardo Pinheiro shared the spoils with Queiroz after he, too, scored a three-timer on Sunday with Mesmerizing ($22), Captain Singapore ($13) and Big Union ($10) to take his season tally to 28 wins.
