By Sharon Zhang, Singapore Turf Club
Jockey Ronnie Stewart left Singapore on a high note with his third Singapore Gold Cup victory 11 years ago, but is now looking to settle down here with his young family.
The 38-year-old Australian plied his trade in Singapore from 2006 to 2011, where he met and eventually got married to ex-Kranji jockey Sheryl Cheam.
The journeyman then went on to ride in Adelaide, Newcastle, Macau, Mauritius and was last based in Brisbane, Queensland.
He did return for a one-day visit in 2017 but went home empty-handed.
The couple welcomed their little bundle of joy, Dakota, two years ago. It was around then when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, hence they were not able to visit Cheam’s family in Singapore until recent VTL (Vaccinated Travel Lane) agreements were made between the two countries.
However, coming back to Singapore has always been on the Stewarts’ minds.
“It was always in the plan to get back here,” said Stewart, who arrived with his family in Singapore on Saturday and now stays with Cheam’s stepfather and mother in an HDB flat in Sengkang.
“It’s been over two years now that we have been away from Sheryl’s family (because of COVID-19). The parents are seeing our daughter for the first time, too.
“It’s easier to get Dakota in since she is still young, and in time to come, we have to plan for her education here, too.
“We might sell our property back home and then invest in our own place over here.
“I am thankful for the licence given by the Club. Hopefully, we can stay here long-term.”
It is important to plan for the future, and so too for Stewart’s career. The Group 1 Sydney Cup-winning jockey (aboard the Chris Waller-trained Selino last year) put in an application and was granted a one-year licence by the Singapore Turf Club for the new 2022 season in November.
He waited for three months into the season before the work permit was approved and will make his way back to his old stomping ground next Tuesday.
“The work permit is approved but not yet issued, and I have made an appointment with MOM (Ministry of Manpower) on the 14th (Monday),” said the soft-spoken jockey whose favourite local dishes are chicken rice and Laksa.
“I’ll hopefully settle some paperwork there, pay any fees required, get my work permit so I can be cleared and come in to ride trackwork on the 15th (Tuesday).
“I met Steven Burridge, Tim Fitzsimmons and James Peters the other day. I will ride some trackwork for Tim for a start.
“I will also spread myself around and help out with other trainers as well.”
His fellow Queensland jockey, Jake Bayliss was among one of two other newly-licensed expatriate jockey at Kranji. The 28-year-old rider arrived in mid-February and has already ridden two winners (Nate’s Honour and Rocket Ryane) to-date. South African jockey Derreck David has opted to return to riding in his native country this month instead.
The riding ranks have changed a lot since the last time Stewart was based here. He wanted to have a shot at the champion jockey title initially, but the first quarter of the season looks to be over before he could even hop onto the saddle.
“I was hoping to go for (the title of) champion jockey at first, but now it’s been three months into the season. (Manoel) Nunes and (Danny) Beasley have got a huge headstart on me now,” said Stewart, who last rode in three races at Sunshine Coast on February 19.
“I know Nunes quite well from my riding days in Macau and Mauritius. I rode against Bayliss back in Queensland, and there are other familiar faces like Beasley, Matthew Kellady and Mohd Zaki.
“We might not have stayed in touch closely, but it’s good to see them again.
“Australian racing is strong and competitive, but now that I am in Singapore, the most important thing now is for me to acclimatise and get fit.
“I am more mature as a rider now, but it is still important to establish yourself among the riding ranks here, knuckle down, and get winners.
“I run every day to maintain my fitness, just like how I used to all the time.
“Maybe winning my fourth Singapore Gold Cup would be great.”
It might still be early days to be talking about this gilt-edged goal now, but fans would already know that Stewart’s greatest achievement in Singapore was the three Group 1 Singapore Gold Cups aboard the Hideyuki Takaoka-trained El Dorado in 2008,2009 and 2011.
That puts him on the roll of honour with Australian jockeys Thomas Farthing (1936,1939 and 1941) and Alan Trevena (1963,1966 and 1968) as the jockeys with the most number of Singapore Gold Cup wins thus far.
He also swept all three legs of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge in 2009 when Takaoka’s Jolie’s Shinju took out the Patrons’ Bowl, the Singapore Derby Trial and the Emirates Singapore Derby.
Much as Stewart cannot wait to slip into his breeches, he would like the weather to be kinder at the meetings ahead.
“I watched the video replays for the races on Saturday (March 5) and I was wondering why the last two races were delayed (by 50 minutes each)?” said Stewart.
“Sheryl’s stepdad explained that it was due to the lightning and thunderstorm. We just left Brisbane where there’s really bad flooding, so that’s one thing I wouldn’t want to experience here!”
May the saying of “when it rains, it pours” come in the form of winners for Stewart instead!
