Fresh from a remarkable six-win haul at Selangor last weekend, Bernardo Pinheiro returns with another strong book of 12 rides across Sunday’s 13-race programme.
The Brazilian has been a dominant force this season, booting home 25 winners from 125 rides at an impressive strike rate of 20%. He has also recorded 23 seconds and 17 thirds, highlighting the consistency that has made him one of Malaysia’s most sought-after jockeys.
Pinheiro will again combine prominently with trainer Simon Dunderdale, beginning with The Star in Race 3 and Friend Of Honor in Race 4. He will also partner Swey City Flyer, who has drawn ideally in barrier one for Race 7.
The headline booking comes in Race 9, where Pinheiro reunites with stable star Antipodean. The accomplished gelding must shoulder 60kg from barrier seven but shapes as one of the most interesting runners on the programme.
His other mounts include Sunny Day, Dontellmywife, Witnessimpact, Mega First, El Chubasco, Rizzler, Northern Star and Lim’s Bestbreaker.
With confidence soaring after last weekend’s six-timer, Pinheiro will be looking to maintain the momentum and further strengthen his outstanding record at Selangor.
We caught up with Bernardo and he discussed his rides and how he sees their chances this Sunday.
RACE 1 SUNNY DAY
“First race is Sunny Day. I really love the mare, you know, she’s in good form. She ran a super race with me coming back from a longer long break. And of course, I only expect improving after her first up run. The trainer says she pulled up well and she’s good. So, I like to hear that, she’s a very good ride. But, you know, 1000-metre race and having to jump from barrier 12. We just, just need a bit of luck from that draw, you know, and that’s how.
She’s one of the favorites of the race, but just makes a bit harder the, the better 12 on the track 2, you know, can be a bit tricky.”
RACE 2 DONTELLMYWIFE
“So race two, this horse won with me two starts ago. It went well also last start. I didn’t ride him, but he ran a good race in fourth as well. They, they offered the ride back. I’m happy to, to be back on the horse. I think the horse goes well in this race, you know, as a bit open few of a couple of horses with chances. I know the horse well. He has a good draw in the middle. So I think he’s a good chance as well.”
RACE 3 THE STAR
“Race three. I ride The Star. This horse is not in his best form. He’s trying to get back previous best. He already leads, but has faded in the straight. I galloped him on Tuesday. He gave me a good feeling. And I believe he can go well, you know, the same way that he’s not in his best form in a positive way to think he’s been dropping the ratings as well. So he’s still in the class for, you know, but I think caring, carrying just 56.5kgs might help him to find a good form as well.”
RACE 4 FRIEND OF HONOR
“Race four, we have Friend Of Honor. This horse has been very consistent since I arrived. He was my first winner back here this year. And after that he really disappointed me, he was in a good form. Gave me a good gallop, but he really disappointed. He’s a very fresh horse. Only question mark is because barrier 12 and track two and 1275 might be his limit because he’s a sprinter, you know, but he won over this distance before a while ago. So, the horse in a good form of being bribing him in a track work as well during the week. Let’s see if I managed to, to get him leading up there from barrier 12. I think he run to his form.”
RACE 6 WITNESSIMPACT
“Race six I ride Witnessimpact. This horse, if you go back on his form a long time ago, I am two from two on this horse.
So when he was young I won on him after that, you know, he, he got sold, he got some excuses also. If you go to his veterinary record, he had a wind surgery I think. So, you know, he does have some excuses. He has also gotten old. He’s not the same horse when I rode him. But at the end of the day, I’m still two from two. The way I remember him is good. And I go for, I go for the race confident on that, that mindset, you know, very open field, very strong race. He’s the lowest handicap in the race. So 54kg might help him. Just need to be positive on him.”
RACE 7 SWEY CITY FLYER
“This horse has won twice with me over class five. Class four is a question mark for him. He ran a super race first time in the class for last time over 1500. His first time that he’s going to run over a mile, I believe the horse that’s been improving race by race. I have a good draw, but we need to respect the field. It’s not an easy field. A couple of good horses in the race, but the horse is going to keep running his form. I’m sure of that.”
RACE 8 MEGA FIRST
“It doesn’t look like a class three race; it’s a very strong field. If you come from horse to horse, you know each horse has his own merits and you’ll be very competitive and interest rates to have the number one Pacific Padrino is dropping in class. King emperor is a very capable type. Good Friend, I liked his run in the Selangor Mile, that day was impressive. You know, this Secret Phantom is a horse that comes from far behind, but his turn of foot is quite impressive. So it’s a very strong field. We need to expect. But I love my horse. Mega first run a super race with me. They start in the three years old mile. He’s one of the lowest handicapped in this race. That’s the, the weight he is carrying is going to help us out very well. So I’m very well positioned to fight it out in this strong race, you know, I will go for it.
RACE 9 ANTIPODEAN
“Supreme A is Antipodean. If you ask me what’s the horse I’m looking for want for the weekend? You don’t need to ask me that when I’m riding this horse. Because anytime I ride his horse, I’m looking forward to this one because this horse I can say without the words I love him! It’s my favourite horse in Malaysia. And one of my favourite horses in my career here. And fortunately, I have been riding good horses all around the world, but this horse has a special place in my heart. And it’s a horse that every time I ride him, he just gave me his all. He’s a very honest horse with me. He’s still the best horse. Carrying 60 kilo, keeping weight for all the good horses getting lightweight makes it a tough job. Pacific Energy, you know, is very, very consistent horse less time. His race looks better than it shows the result. Really looking forward this race and partnering him again.”
RACE 10 EL CHUBASCO
“In the Maiden I ride El Chubasco. These horses don’t have much form. I galloped him. He goes okay. The race is quite weak. He’s open maiden. So he has his chances for sure.”
RACE 11 RIZZLER
“Reseller, I believe 1200 can be a bit far for him. He always runs well with me. He’s a very, very fresh horse. If he finds the front, he can run well. He will run well for sure. I just believe this distance can be a bit far for him though.”
RACE 12 NORTHERN STAR
“The replays I saw. He’s been running well. So I’ll go to the track confident and happy with the replays I see. It has quite a few, a couple of horses coming down from class four and in good form. But, yeah, I think he has the chance to run well,”
RACE 13 LIM’S BESTBREAKER
“Race 13 my horse is emergency one at acceptance time, so I don’t know if you’ll get the run or not. If he has the run, I think he can run well, his races are better than the results looks like, you know, last time I got outside draw. I click him to be close to the speed, but he over raced and was on the long course. But the horse in this class he can fight for the winning for sure if he gets in.”
By Scott Bailey
