MAIA GETS RIGHT INTO THE SPIRIT

Brazilian has a host of chances on first day back, but cannot complain about double

- Michael Lee

After a three-year absence, Ruan Maia has made up for lost time with a quick return to the Kranji winner's enclosure on April 13.

The Brazilian jockey, who was at his first day of his second- and last - long-term Singapore stint, booted home a double aboard Kinabalu Light and Pacific Spirit, both for trainer David Kok.

The 35-year-old was actually expected to salute at least once from his book of eight rides, given that, bar Forget Romance ($229), they were well in the market.

Railside fans cheered on as he headed out on his first booking, $13 favourite Bravo Kid in the $30,000 Class 5 Division 2 race (1,400m).

But an in-form Star Victory (Benny Woodworth) denied him that same flying start he had in his first and only Kranji ride in 2018, Circuit Land in the Group 2 Chairman's Trophy (1,600m).

For having bumped his haul up by another 70 winners, mostly at a breakout season in 2020 (62 winners and runner-up to Vlad Duric), Maia did not need a map to find his way back to the winning post.

The three-time Macau champion jockey duly went one better in his next ride, aboard $16 favourite Kinabalu Light in the $30,000 Ckass 5 Division 2 race (1,700m).

He had to earn every cent of his riding fee, though. The Belardo four-year-old came under siege late but was able to scrape home in a three-way blanket finish.