3 minute read

Jockey Bruno Queiroz claimed the riding honours after he booted home his fourth winner atop Strike Gold in the $75,000 Novice race (1200m) on Sunday.

After the young Brazilian rider opened his 2024 account with Silver Dragon ($57) in the $20,000 Open Maiden race (1100m) for trainer Jason Ong, who incidentally also took home a four-timer at the second meeting of the new year, Queiroz landed three more wins with Nineoneone ($38), Benbo ($12) and Strike Gold ($45), trained by Desmond Koh, Alwin Tan and Ricardo Le Grange respectively.

The four-timer was his second at Kranji after he also won on Lonhro Gold, Healthy Baby, Top Field and Akhtar on 21 October last year. Chalking up 28 wins at his first overseas stint that kicked-off last July, Queiroz finished eighth on the 2023 jockeys' premiership, which was a decent result in merely six months of riding here.

From the way he racked up winners at Kranji, it was obvious the two-time Brazilian champion jockey meant serious business after he had made known earlier this year his ambition of a first Singapore champion jockey title.

Granted the quality and quantity of rides do matter, it would still be no surprise Queiroz becomes hot commodity at Kranji, just like his world-famous godfather Joao Moreira who once took Kranji by storm, from the way he impressed with his rides.

Le Grange, for one, took a liking to his ride on Strike Gold  and was effusive in his praises for Queiroz.

"That was a very good ride by Bruno. He probably won the race in the first 100m when he settled him just behind the speed," said the South African handler who was at his first win for the season.

"He (Queiroz) gallops him in the mornings too. When you put on good jockeys like him, you get good results. He's a good horseman and a very talented young man."

After a clean getaway from gate six, Queiroz settled the three-year-old son of Iffraaj in third behind leader Stop The Water (Sazali Ramli) and Eruption (Manoel Nunes) and waited for the turn before he pressed the button at the 400m.

Eruption, who grabbed the lead upon turning, sprinted full steam ahead but Strike Gold motored home quickly from the outside to cross the line first with one-and-a-quarter lengths to spare from last-start winner Super Baby (Benny Woodworth).

$14 favourite Sacred Buddy (A'Isisuhairi Kasim) burst onto the scene late and finished another two-and-a-quarter lengths away in third, denying Eruption of a podium finish by a head.

The winning time was 1 min 12.19secs for the 1200m on the Polytrack.

Owned by the Gold Stable, Strike Gold was at only his second win from eight starts but Le Grange believed once the debut winner gets into the right headspace, he can showcase his full ability.

"I've always had high regards for this horse. I think he's the type to get better with racing," he said.

"He's definitely better than what he was a couple of starts ago, like his parading manners got a lot better.

"We try to do things differently with him, like keeping him in the air-con (environment) for as long as possible to keep him calm.

"He's very immature and anything small like noises can set him off, so I race him with earmuffs on, which I don't usually with my other horses.

"He's definitely got the ability, but it's about training him mentally to get the job done.

"The older he gets and the more confident he is, then it's the proverbial saying of 'the penny drops' and he will become a very nice horse.

"Massive thanks to Eugene (Yong) of the Gold Stable. The owners have been unbelievable supporters of myself and (ex-Kranji trainer) Pat (Shaw) for 20 odd years."

"I'm very happy they have a nice horse that could potentially go for the Three-Year-Old races, but we'll take things a step at a time."

Le Grange was referring to the Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) on 6 April, the Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1400m) on 27 April and the Group 2 Singapore Guineas (1600m) on 18 May that are opened for three-year-old runners.

Queiroz thought Strike Gold was not easy to ride, but the conditions suited him on Sunday.

"He needs luck in the races because he is very difficult to ride, but today everything went perfect for him," said the Sao Paulo native.

"This horse is a very good horse. Thanks to Ricardo for giving me the ride.

"Maybe he can go over longer in future and maybe also win a Group race one day."

Strike Gold has now amassed close to $100,000 in prizemoney for connections.