Statistically, jockey Bernardo Pinheiro is in great form in Singapore and the hardworking Brazilian hoop can boot home more winners with a strong book of rides on Sunday at Kranji.
Big Union (Bernardo Pinheiro) seen here at his last-start win on 11 August (Pic – STC)
Now sitting fifth on the 2024 jockeys’ premiership on 32 wins, Pinheiro’s strike rate of 20.51 percent is the highest of any jockey based in Singapore, albeit a late start in April this season due to commitments in Dubai.
With the old adage that “good horses make good jockeys”, a big part of Pinheiro’s exceptional strike rate came from his winning association with the Jerome Tan-trained Big Union. The pair has scored four times from five pairings this year.
Pinheiro revealed the four-year-old son of Zoustar was lucky to return to racing after a serious bout of colic and thought he can win again on Sunday in the SG$70,000 Class 3 race (1100m).
“Horses like Big Union makes things easier for me,” said Pinheiro, who also rode 34 winners in Malaysia this year. It’s amazing what Jerome has done to get Big Union to race at all.
“It’s a nice story. The horse had bad colic and might not have survived, let alone race. Jerome and his team were so patient with him, and I was eager to ride him when he got to the races this year.
“I rode him in the barrier trials, but unfortunately, I was committed so could not ride him at his first two runs. But I was lucky to be on board when he won his first race (in a Restricted Maiden race over 1100m on 9 June) and every win since.
“I thought he had excuses for the only race he hasn’t won when I rode him (finished seventh in a Class 4 race over 1400m on 21 July), so he has been an incredible story.
“Big Union is still improving too, so he can win again in my opinion. He won very well in Class 3 (race over 1200m on 11 August) at his last start but if I had a concern, it would be the drop back to 1100m.
“He did win over this distance before but that was in Restricted Maiden company so this would be as short as he wants it at this level.
“It’s a good field too. Aniki showed last start he can win again in this company and I have to respect horses like Bransom, Lord’s Command and Dancing Light too.
“But we have drawn well in barrier five and will be strong when it counts.”
Pinheiro also understood that he would not be enjoying as successful season without trainers’ support and it was no surprise that four of his eight rides on Sunday are for Ricardo Le Grange.
“Le Grange is my biggest supporter for sure,” he continued. “We have always had a good relationship. We are good friends, and I enjoy riding for Ricardo and his owners.
“This week, I ride four of his horses and hopefully, we can have some success.
“I think April (x Swiss Ace) has found the right race in the SG$30,000 Class 5 race over 1600m. His first-up run after a long break was good and you could see he needed further, so the mile looks ideal and you can follow him over longer.
“Strike Gold (x Iffraaj) can win his race, the SG$50,000 Class 4 Division 2 race over 1200m too.
“He had a small issue after his last-start win (in a Class 4 race over 1200m on 7 July) but he felt good at his recent trial (won trial no1 on 20 August in 1 min 1.64 secs).
“Ricardo always has his horses ready to perform fresh, so I expect him to go well in this field.
“Tony’s Love (x Artie Schiller) was disappointing but if he can bring his morning track form to Sunday’s SG$30,000 Class 5 race over 1700m, he could surprise.
“While Great Command (x Air Force Blue) might need it easier than Sunday’s SG$30,000 Class 5 Division 1 race over 1200m, he has speed and with some luck, who knows?”
Of his ride in the SG$300,000 Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1800m) on Saturday, Pinheiro revealed he still has a decision to make.
“Ricardo has let me decide between Bestseller and Hole In One,” explained Pinheiro, who famously won the 2023 QEII Cup for Le Grange with a daring frontrunning ride on Hongkong Great.
“Bestseller (x Dream Ahead) had a trial this week (finished second in trial no 1 on 27 August) and I will gallop them both this weekend before I make a decision.
“And depending on the final weights, I will stay with that horse in the Gr1 Grand Singapore Gold Cup (2000m).”
The Grand Singapore Gold Cup will be run on the very last meeting to be held at Kranji on 5 October.
