Brazilian jockey Bernardo Pinheiro is on target to break his personal Malaysian record which stands at 33 winners which was achieved back in 2019, his first season of riding in the country. Currently placed 4th on the premiership with 25 winners and striking at 20%, Pinheiro has developed a cult following with local punters who would have filled their boots last Sunday with the inform jockey steering home six winners on the eleven-race card.
No doubt Pinheiro will be looking to continue that rich vein of form before he departs for Dubai where the new UAE racing season commences in October. The 30-year-old is on track for multiple winners again this weekend with six-year-old SUNNY DAY to kick off proceedings in Race 1 (1020m Class 5B). Although she does possess a low strike rate of one win from 26 starts, the mare has improved with race experience and will strip fitter from her first up effort when she closed off well to finish runner up over 1150m here three weeks ago.
Pinheiro was riding the HY Cheng-trained DON’TTELLMYWIFE for the first time when the five-year-old broke a winning drought two starts back over 1200m on July 5. The pair will be reunited in Race 2 (1150m Class 5A) and will be a major player in the local markets. LEGEND SIXTY-THREE resumes from a long break on the downgrade and usually goes well first up. His 5L trial win on July 21 suggests he is primed for a forward showing on his racetrack return.
SWEY CITY FLYER, for trainer Simon Dunderdale, has been racing well this year and is expected to bounce back in Race 7 (1600m Class 4). The four-year-old has scored twice in its career, with Pinheiro aboard on both occasions, and generally races best off a solid tempo. This will be the gelding’s first try at the mile but was a 1500m winner two starts back and is a chance to break through in the grade.
MEGA FIRST was far from disgraced in the 3YO Mile Championship on July 19 and appears well weighted with 55kg in Race 8 (1600m Class 3), Finishing 3rd, 3L behind the winner, MEGA FIRST was sent out favorite following his prior run at Class 3 level when finishing 2nd behind Selangor Mile place getter ANJOU CROWN on July 5. Another horse to watch in this race is GOOD FRIEND, which raced above expectations when placed 4th in the mile feature. Coming from 10th at the 400m mark, GOOD FRIEND was able to weave a passage between runners and close off well in a race that suited the back markers.
Pinheiro has combined to win aboard talented six-year-old ANTIPODEAN on eight occasions and the pair look the testing material in Race 9 (1600m Supreme A). The G1 Selangor Gold Cup winner two years ago is on track to contest the second leg of the Triple Crown on September 27. However, this race will be highly competitive with some progressive types engaged including 3YO Selangor Mile winner ACQUITAINE, stable mate ANJOU CROWN and also BANKER’S HONOR. These three gallopers all performed well in the mile feature and whereas nothing could be taken away from the winner who like the other pair reeled off a fast final sectional, ANJOU CROWN and BANKER’S HONOR came from wide barriers. OMNIARCH cannot be left out of calculations either despite finishing 2nd and 3rd behind ANTIPODEAN in his last two outings over the mile trip. OMNIARCH is also on target to contest the Selangor Gold Cup next month.
