Jockey Bernardo Pinheiro arguably pulled off one of the most daring rides seen at Kranji by steering the Ricardo Le Grange-trained Hongkong Great to a stunning all-the-way victory in the $300,000 Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1800m) on Saturday.
It was a race in which someone had to try something different to find a way to beat the raging $6 favourite, Lim’s Kosciuszko, and the Brazilian jockey’s extremely bold frontrunning tactics paid off in the form of his first Group win at Kranji.
There were no surprises early as most form analysts reckoned Hongkong Great ($102) would lead and Lim’s Kosciuszko would stalk him, but by the 1000m, the crowd began to get excited when Pinheiro had increased his lead almost by stealth, before hitting the bend about ten lengths in front.
Lim’s Kosciuszko (Wong Chin Chuen) kept Hongkong Great in his sights and the highest-rated runner in the race was happy to bide his time before getting serious on the favourite when turning for home.
And for all intents and purposes, Wong had the 500m or so of the Long Course straight to make up ground – still some eight lengths – to remain undefeated this year, but with Pinheiro sitting relatively calmly on Hongkong Great, it was ‘race on’ in the final two furlongs.
Wong was patient, but when he finally pushed the button at the 300m and Lim’s Kosciuszko got down to work, the pair were still five lengths in arrears, albeit gaining momentum with every stride.
Invincible Tycoon (Marc Lerner) and Relentless, who was handy throughout for Ronnie Stewart, were in the picture late, but all eyes were on the tiring Hongkong Great and the mighty Lim’s Kosciuszko in the last furlong.
Punters were roaring at the spectacle unfolding before them. At the 100m, everyone involved was getting desperate. With Pinheiro urging – almost lifting – Hongkong Great to find something extra to the wire and Wong riding for dear life with still lengths to find, even though they were quickly running out of real estate.
Like all champions do, Lim’s Kosciuszko found another massive effort late to almost pull off the impossible, but Hongkong Great found just held off the last-ditch challenge to prevail by a neck in one of the most thrilling races in 2023.
Invincible Tycoon continued his great run of form to finish in third place, albeit another two-and-a-quarter lengths away. A gamed Relentless just missed the podium finish by another one-and-three-quarter lengths away.
The winning time was 1 min 46.6secs for the 1800m on the Long Course and Hongkong Great’s third win in Singapore – and his second at Group 1 level after the 2022 Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) – took his prizemoney to over $780,000 for owner Edmond Yue.
While Le Grange knew his stable star would give a sight, the South African handler was still shocked by how the race panned out.
“We planned to lead – everyone knew that – but watching it live, even I was surprised at the gap Bernardo put on them midrace,” said Le Grange, who captured his first QEII Cup victory with the late Quechua in 2017.
“Bernardo is a very good on-pace rider – he showed that today – but when he opened up that big lead, I thought, ‘why weren’t the others chasing earlier?’
“I guess the others (jockeys) thought our boy (Hongkong Great) wasn’t in that good a form leading into this race and that he would’ve come back to them more quickly.
“They were probably right as (assistant-trainer) Jacci (de Tert) and I were concerned he wasn’t at his best or lost interest at his last run, so we added winkers on him.
“He worked really well – exceptional in fact – with the winkers last week and that gave me confidence that if we did get it cheap upfront, he could go on with the job.
“But all credit to Bernardo. He has copped a few sprays from me lately but after his ride today, we can forget all about that!
“Credit to (trainer) Dan’s (Daniel Meagher) horse (Lim’s Kosciuszko) too. I thought he was exceptional to get that close given how the race was run.
“I’m just proud of this horse (Hongkong Great) today and everyone associated with him.”
An emotional Pinheiro, who was at his last race meeting before he returns to Dubai for the 2023/2034 season on Sunday night, was almost in tears after the race.
“It’s not that easy, this kind of race,” explained the popular hoop, who also won on newcomer Kungfu Hero ($17) in the $75,000 Hard Too Think 2021 Stakes, a Restricted Maiden race (1200m) nine races earlier (see earlier report).
“Ricardo! I don’t have enough words to say thank you to him. He gave me good support out of the stable the whole season here.
“Since 2019, I dreamed to win a Group 1 (race) here (Singapore) and today, it came true.
“When I came over in April this year, Ricardo gave me this horse and even if he ran in 1200m races (then), I accepted the ride because something told me that he would be the one to give me my Group 1 (win).
“Today – my last day and the last ride before I leave – it just happened. I’m lucky the pace was in my favour. The plan went through. I just thank God.
After claiming the second Leg of the Singapore Triple Crown series, in which the first Leg of the Group 1 Raffles Cup (1600m) was won by Lim’s Kosciuszko, the eight-year-old son of Lookin At Lucky should be in good stead for the third and final Leg of the series, the Singapore Gold Cup, which he won with visiting Australian jockey Mark Zahra last year.
Pinheiro was optimistic about returning for the “grand finale” on 11 November.
“There is a day off (in Dubai) on the (Singapore) Gold Cup (meeting) – it’s my luck there are no races there,” he said.
“I may have to leave a bit early and lose a day before or the last two races of the meeting and take the last flight at night (from Dubai), but I hope I can come back for the Gold Cup.”
By Larry Foley, STC
