While not set in stone, in-form jockey Bernardo Pinheiro has been booked to ride the Jerome Tan-trained Big Union in the Group 1 Grand Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) on 5 October.
The four-year-old son of Zoustar burst into Gold Cup calculations after an eye-catching short head second behind Makin over 1400m in Class 1 company last Saturday (21 September).
Stamping that form was the fact that Makin is also heading towards the Gold Cup, with Big Hearted and Pacific Vampire—third and fourth respectively in a busy finish in that same race—also in the final nominations.
But given that the Brazilian ace was choosing between two Ricardo Le Grange-trained runners—Bestseller and Hole In One—only a week or so ago, the decision to ride the Cat Racing Stable-owned gelding in the Gold Cup came as somewhat of a surprise to most in the industry.
And according to Pinheiro, a surprise to him as well, after the Gold Cup lightweight jockey scramble began in earnest after the running of the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1800m) on 7 September.
“I had decisions to make about my Gold Cup ride, even before the QEII Cup,” explained the hardworking hoop.
“I chose Hole In One for that (QEII Cup) race but was still undecided about which horse I would ride in the Gold Cup.
“And while Hole In One was very good in the QEII Cup, he was wide throughout and still finished fourth, so I was leaning towards Bestseller, who would improve after his QEII Cup run.
“Another question mark was Bestseller having a query over 2000m, so I was still undecided. And with both horses with 50kgs in the Gold Cup, Ricardo was keen to secure a lightweight jockey.
“So he (Le Grange) booked (Australian jockey) Taylor Marshall for Hole In One and then after last weekend, Big Union looked like he’d be getting a place in the final field for the Gold Cup.
“And another of Jerome’s horses, Super Baby, was made emergency number one. So, it was tricky for me as I ride them all.
“To be fair to Ricardo, and so he had time to find a lightweight jockey for Bestseller, I told him (Le Grange) straight away that I would ride one of Jerome’s.
“There was a slight misunderstanding with my decision for Ricardo, but we are good friends and both understand this happens in racing. We are all good.
“So, at this stage I will be riding Big Union, who has a guaranteed start.
“In saying that, I honestly think Super Baby (x Deep Field) is the better horse over 2000m, based on what we have seen. But Big Union just continues to improve, and he showed the other day that he can go further than 1400m.
“Everyone seems to make excuses for his (Big Union) wins, but I think he has shown in Class 1 that he is a very good horse with more to come.
“But both horses (Big Union and Super Baby) have been very good to me and I’m excited to see what happens over the next few days before final fields are out.”
And with the old adage ‘a week is a long time in racing’, Pinheiro was concentrating on the job at hand this Saturday, with a full book of ten rides in what is the penultimate race meeting to be held at Kranji.
“I will worry about the Gold Cup and getting my weight down next week,” said the 29-year-old who will try to ride at 51.5kgs or 52kgs in the Gold Cup.
“So, this weekend I’m hoping to continue my good form and I think I have some nice horses to ride.
“I would love to win one for Ricardo before we finish, and I ride April (x Swiss Ace) for him on Saturday ($45,000 Class 5 race over 2000m). He (April) is very honest and I expect another solid run.
“And I also ride two horses (Jin Sakamoto and Energy Baby) that I won on last start, so I’m hoping they can win again.
“Jin Sakamoto (x Shamexpress) is in the ($85,000) Class 4 race over 1200m and he won in the same race last start (14 September). He has three-and-half extra kilos to carry (58.5kgs) but is going very well.
“Energy Baby (x Rich Enuff) won over seven furlongs last start (Class 4 on 14 September) and that is his best trip. But there is lots of speed in his race on Saturday ($130,000 Class 3 race over 1200m), so hopefully we can make use of the good gate (three) and be strong home over six furlongs.
“And I’m excited about Mission Five (x Invader) first up (in the $85,000 Class 4 race over 1100m) for (trainer) Richard (Lim). He (Lim) gave me the ride two weeks ago and I think if we jump OK, he should run well. He’s a nice horse.
“I want to finish my time in Singapore riding as many winners as I can. And there are only twenty races to go, so let’s hope I get some good fortune on Saturday.”
By Larry Foley
