NUNES WINS TWO RACES IN ADELAIDE

Brazilian ace makes big impact Down Under and vice-versa

- Michael Lee

Manoel Nunes not only found the way home twice at his first Australian stint - but may well have found his next home, too.

The Brazilian jockey flew to Adelaide to answer the call of one of its leading trainers, Michael Hickmott, to ride at the Murray Bridge meeting on Aug 3.

It was not just a busman's holiday to add another country on his already impressive international CV.

The proactive 48-year-old was not waiting until the Kranji gates are shut for good on Oct 5 to start scouting out a new workplace.

For a start, the back-to-back victories on 9-4 favourite Maracourt for Hickmott at only his second ride and 5-1 shot Fox Gem for trainer John Macmillan in the very next event could not have been a better introduction, especially to a firsttime visitor Down Under.

While a double helps put his name on the map, to Nunes, it was more like the icing on the cake.

Getting the lie of the land was the No. 1 priority if he was to return on a more permanent basis.

"It was my first time in Australia, let alone ride," said Nunes.

"I was actually a bit nervous, but my riders' agent Damien Wilton did all the form. Barend Vorster (ex-Kranji jockey) also walked the track with me.