While Cosmic Dancer and Teardrops dead-heated in the $50,000 Mister Yeoh 2018 Stakes (1100m) on Sunday, both their jockeys were stoked at the shared win for different reasons.
It was Brazilian jockey Bernardo Pinheiro’s first win at his second meeting back in Singapore after he returned to Dubai last October while jockey A’Isisuhairi Kasim, better known as ‘Harry’, also had every reason to be happy with the win as he awaits the arrival of his son at Thomson Medical Centre.
Pinheiro returned to Singapore earlier this month to begin his second long-term stint at Kranji after he wrapped up with 14 winners last year.
With one second last Sunday and two placings in the first two races on Sunday, Pinheiro did not take long to make his way back to the winner’s circle atop the Jason Lim-trained Cosmic Dancer in the Class 4 Division 1 race at his ninth ride.
Upon jumping from barrier two, Pinheiro bustled the three-year-old son of Vancouver up to secure the lead while Teardrops (A’Isisuhairi) settled in close attendance outside.
The winning post was looming fast for Pinheiro in the straight but Teardrops, who has yet to break the duck in 11 starts, showed that she was a force to be reckoned with as she closed in steadily in the last furlong.
The judge was unable to split Cosmic Dancer ($18) and Teardrops ($25) on the line. Elliot Ness (Jamil Sarwi) finished another three parts of a length away in third.
The winning time was 1 min 5.69secs for the 1100m on the Polytrack.
Pinheiro, who is licensed to ride till the end of the season, thought that Cosmic Dancer was slightly outclassed in the field and though the win was not handed to him on a silver platter, he was grateful for that first win of the season on Sunday.
“I am very happy with my first winner (in Singapore this year) and I thank Jason for his support,” said Pinheiro, who currently stays in a rented condominium unit at Bukit Timah with his wife Gabriela.
“He was the trainer that gave me my second win in Singapore last year with Sky Eye (on May 21 after Pennywise won).
“He always supported me with rides. Today, he gave me two good ones and the first one (Captain Singapore) ran third because of the wide gate (10).
“This one (Cosmic Dancer), we had the light weight, good gate, everything went well and he won.
“The race is a bit ‘high-classed’ for him and that’s why he carried 52.5kgs. He fought till the end and I never gave up.”
Seven races later, the young hoop again made all with the Stephen Crutchley-trained Fame Star ($66) in the $85,000 Super Easy 2011 Stakes, a Class 2 race over 1600m.
With two wins from five starts, Cosmic Dancer took his earnings to over $25,000 in prizemoney for the Thunderbird Racing Stable. Owned by Forever Lucky Stable, Teardrops took out her first win at her 12th start and has earned more than $65,000 for connections.
After Teardrops shared the spoils with Cosmic Dancer in the third race, Win Win ($38) handed soon-to-be second-time dad Harry a double on Sunday after he scored in the $50,000 Trudeau 2013 Stakes, a Class 4 Division 2 race (1100m).
Harry, who already has a one-year-old daughter Bibi Nayla Medina, knew that his son was due in April, but did not expect Harry Junior to “pick” such a momentous occasion for his birthday.
“She’s in labour now,” said Harry of his wife, Jannah.
“We did five house visits yesterday for Hari Raya (Puasa) and she walked a lot. This morning, she woke me up and I sent her to Thomson Medical (Centre) before I came. She just told me to go and ‘do my things’.
“The doctor checked and said all was good, so it can be a normal delivery (natural birth). I pray that all goes well and I can’t wait to see my son, Zayyan Khan, after the races!”
Harry was happy with both his winners.
“I thought I’d get second (with Teardrops),” he said.
“She ran a good race when I rode her at her last start. I talked to Tim earlier on and he told me to avoid the kickback and ride her positive.
“She began well and I was next to the leader. She travelled nice, I kept her balanced and in the last 300m, she gave her everything.
“I don’t mind sharing. Sharing (a win) is better than getting second.
“I’m also very happy to win on Win Win because the whole connection (Turf Bloodstock Sabah) came here today and they support me a lot.
“(Chairman of Royal Sabah Turf Club) Datuk Peter Chin called me yesterday to wish me ‘Selamat Hari Raya’ and it’s so nice to get a win for them today.”
