Queiroz Rises To The Occasion

Singapore champion jockey eyeing more Malaysian trips and New Zealand stint

- Michael Lee

Brazilian jockey Bruno Queiroz did not return home empty-handed at his first Malaysian raid during the Chinese New Year.

Flying in from his Rio de Janeiro base for a short two-day licence granted by the Selangor Turf Club (SLTC), Singapore's last champion jockey rode two winners from 14 rides - collecting the biggest hongbao in the RM100,000 Chinese New Year Trophy (1,600m) on Jan 31.

By claiming victory in Kuala Lumpur's highlight race to usher in the Year of the Snake, Queiroz was also looping the loop in a most auspicious manner.

The winner Pacific Padrino ($30) happened to also be the horse who capped Queiroz's four-timer at Kranji's farewell day on Oct 5. But, more pointedly, he touched off compatriot Manoel Nunes - who was denied a sixth gong - by a whisker in the title race.

The only difference is that the Pacific Stable-owned Street Boss five-year-old is no longer trained by Daniel Meagher but by two-time Singapore champion trainer Jason Ong.

On the other hand, Pacific Padrino's neck victory was highly reminiscent of Queiroz's Singapore championship clincher.