Jockey Bernardo Pinheiro is not afraid to travel to find winners.
When the hardworking Brazilian hoop left Kranji after his bold frontrunning ride on Hongkong Great to beat Lim’s Kosciuszko in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1800m) on 14 October last year, racegoers were certain he would return.
In fact, that first Group win of his in Singapore, arguably one of the best rides seen at the top level at Kranji, was his very last ride before heading to his riding base in Dubai.
Pinheiro’s 30th win of the 2023 Singapore season placed him seventh on the jockeys’ premiership table, while he bagged another seven wins across the causeway, that also included the Group 1 Selangor Gold Cup (1600m) atop Pasir Pinji in September.
After a successful season in Dubai, Pinheiro returned to Kranji a winner. He hit the ground running with a treble on War Warrior, Super Baby and Last Samurai at his first meeting back on 13 April.
A double aboard Boardroom and Sabah Ace on the following weekend suggested Pinheiro was a man on a mission, with a treble in Malaysia on 14 April thrown in for good measure.
There was more to come. After another treble with Centurion, Cheerful Baby and Super Baby at the Group 1 Kranji Mile meeting last Saturday, his eight wins from 47 rides this year had Pinheiro on eighth position on the jockeys’ log.
It had been a whirlwind month or two for the talented hoop, who is the only jockey to have a full book of rides on Saturday.
“I was always going to come back to Singapore,” said Pinheiro on Thursday.
“But it was a very busy time after the last meeting on 5 April at Al Ain (racecourse) and also having a full book of rides at my first meeting in Singapore on 13 April.
“I just had my best season in Dubai with 34 wins (finished third to jockey Tadhg O’Shea on the Emirates Racing Authority jockeys’ premiership). I also rode three Group winners (including the Group 2 Bani Yas for Purebred Arabians with Jayide Al Boraq at Meydan racecourse) and I was keen to keep the winning momentum going.
“So a treble on my first day back was special and it was good to be back riding in Singapore and Malaysia. I love it here.
“This is my third year here (in Singapore) and I learned so much at my first two stints. The support I get from guys like (trainer) Ricardo (Le Grange) made it worthwhile.
“I’m staying till the end (5 October) and I’m thankful for the opportunity.”
While reserved about his best chances on Saturday’s 10-race meeting, Pinheiro still hoped to add to his 2024 winning tally and thought the barriers would be a factor in more than one race.
“I’m really happy with all my rides in those open races,” explained the 28-year-old hoop.
“It’s hard to pick any standouts but a few of my rides looked due, like Smart One (x Snitzel) in race two ($20,000 Open Maiden race over 1400m) has drawn well in a suitable race.
“He (Smart Star) is back in Maiden company and I think he can go close to getting his first win from gate one.
“Blue Idol (x Orpen) has also drawn in gate one (in the $30,000 Class 5 Division 1 race over 1700m), which will be in his favour.
“He’s a small horse, so carrying 59kgs is a concern, but he drops from Class 4 and Ricardo always has his horses in very good order. I think he (Blue Idol) will get support and can win.
“(Trainer) Donna’s (Logan) horse, Otahuhu (x Overshare) should also go well with no weight in the last race ($50,000 Class 4 race over 1200m).
“He showed very consistent form and I had been riding him in trackwork all week.
“He placed behind my horse (Last Samurai) in this Class two starts ago (second in a Class 4 race over 1200m on 13 April) and had drawn well (in barrier three) for this. Hopefully he can go close.
“I think all my horses can run well with some luck in very open races and I’m very thankful for the support from trainers and owners.”
– Singapore Turf Club
