Although jockey Bruno Queiroz will return home to ride in Brazil after the $1.38 million Group 1 Grand Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) meeting on Saturday, he is grateful that his first overseas stint in Singapore has opened up a new opportunity for him to ride in New Zealand in the near future.
Early last month, the two-time Rio de Janeiro champion jockey spoke with ex-Kranji trainer Stephen Gray, who returned to New Zealand to train with his father Kevin at Palmerston North in May, of the possibility of him riding in the Land of the Long White Cloud. Now, the latter is helping Queiroz with his work permit application to ride in New Zealand.
While waiting for the paperwork to be done, the young Sao Paolo native has also decided to return home to ride in Brazil after discussing with his godfather and renowned jockey, Joao Moreira.
"I thank God and the Singapore Turf Club for the chance to ride at this beautiful racecourse for the past one and a half years. It has been a very good experience at my first stint overseas," he said.
"I spoke with Stephen at the start of September because I wanted to try to ride in New Zealand. He is helping me to get a work permit there, but it would take some time. Once it's ready, I will go over.
"I talk to my godfather every week but last month, we talked about me going back to ride in Brazil. Some owners are ready to support me, so I will fly back to Sao Paolo next Wednesday with my father (Antonio), mother (Sandra) and girlfriend (Kemilly Rodrigues).
"I already have rides in two Group 1 races and one Group 3 race at two meetings in Sao Paolo on 11 and 12 October, and Moreira will be riding there too. After that, I will ride in Rio de Janeiro too."
After his first rides at Kranji in late July last year, he ranked 8th on 28 wins on the jockeys' log at the end of the season, but the young hoop has raked in winners in spades since the start of this year and looked poised to win his first Singapore champion jockey's title before he lost steam last month. He had only two wins in September while reigning champion Manoel Nunes bagged eight wins.
With Nunes leading by three on 57 wins after the penultimate meeting last Saturday, Queiroz knew he faces an uphill task at his last shot of turning the tables around, but he is determined to do his best with his eight remaining rides, including the Jason Ong-trained Pacific Vampire in the Grand Singapore Gold Cup.
"I didn't have much luck last month with only two wins, but I think I have a few good chances with my rides this week," said the 23-year-old hoop on Tuesday.
"I'm hopeful of three runners, and I think The Wild Chief (running in the $45,000 Abdul Mawi Cup, a Class 5 race over 1600m) will be my best chance. Hopefully, he draws an inside to middle barrier.
"Pacific Warrior (x Snitzel), who's running in the ($85,000 S.R. Nathan Cup) Class 4 race (1600m) won at his last start (Class 4 race over 1400m on 14 September). He has a chance.
"Pacific Padrino (x Street Boss) had been running with 59kgs at his last four starts but still got three placings. It's my first time riding him but I watched his videos and I think we can win this ($85,000 Rocket Man Cup, a Class 4 race over 1400m).
"For Pacific Vampire (x Impending), it's a bit hard (over 2000m) because there are many good horses in the race. Lim's Kosciuszko is the best horse, but I think (Lim's) Saltoro has a very good chance to win because he's carrying six kilos less than Lim's Kosciuszko (58kgs).
"Although he (Pacific Vampire) lost at his last start (fourth to Makin in a Class 1 race over 1400m on 21 September), it was on the Long Course and I think he would have won if it was on the Short Course.
"This time, it's on the Short Course and it could help him. My father told me not to worry. He said many might think the horse has no chance in this 2000m race but he told me to go in front, have it easy and just focus on the horse.
"He (Pacific Vampire) is very strong and can pull, but I think he has improved. I work on him every morning. We galloped this morning and I'm very happy with him.
"I told Jason I can ride him on 52kgs, but I will try my best to make 51kgs on Saturday.
"People say Lim's Kosciuszko is the best horse and not many have beaten him here, so if I can win him, I'm happy.
"It's harder for me (to win the jockeys' premiership) but I will fight till the end. Even if I finished second (behind Nunes) in the end, I think I've done a very good job."
His four other rides on Saturday are Pacific Emperor and Pacific Atlantic for trainer David Kok, Pacific Bao Bei for trainer Daniel Meagher and Ciango for trainer Kuah Cheng Tee.
