Nunes Relishes the Challenge

Champion jockey Manoel Nunes is banking on the return to form of champion trainer Mark Walker's horses to be the much-needed catalyst to his own 2016 campaign starting from this Friday.

The Brazilian's book of eight rides all come from the Kiwi horseman bar one, Mighty Man for James Peters. Without singling out any individual horse, Nunes seems to have a soft spot for the three highest-rated Walkers, Polytrack champion My Lucky Strike (98), Sebrose (86) and Chase (66), all nearing their peak after a nice freshen-up.

After two solid seconds over 1000m, My Lucky Strike will take a power of beating in the $125,000 Open Handicap (1200m) even if opponents like El Padrino, Huka Falls and Super Winner are no pushovers either, especially on the alternative track.

My Lucky Strike (Manoel Nunes, second from left) runs on at his last start but Olympic Anthem (Nooresh Juglall, outside) is too good.

Besides the fact that the Charge Forward four-year-old has stripped fitter after the two runs under the belt, Nunes cites two factors in the Lucky Stable-owned eight-time winner's corner - trip and weight.

“He had the topweight of 59kgs at his last start but still ran on well to finish second. The 1000m is too sharp for him these days, and the 1200m will suit him better,” he said.

“He's one year older and more mature, though I think 1100m is still his best trip. I would daresay 1400m would be no problem for him eventually.  He also carries only 56kgs this time. Still, you have to respect Super Winner (55.5kg) and El Padrino (59kgs) who both love the Polytrack and 1200m trip.”

Nunes is also looking forward to reuniting with Sebrose, a horse he knows well for having partnered him at the first four of his five wins.

The Sebring five-year-old took out the Group 3 El Dorado Classic (2200m) with the late Tim Bell aboard in October. Nunes rode him next in the Group 1 Longines Singapore Gold Cup (2200m), catching the eye with a superb fourth to Cooptado, but has since not been back aboard until he takes the ride on Friday in the $100,000 Open Benchmark 89 race over 1800m.

“Sebrose is a quality stayer. He has raced with all the good horses like Quechua and so forth and ran fourth in the Gold Cup,” he said.

“Mark gave him a break after the big races last year and he ran a very nice third with Shafiq (Rizuan) over 1800m at his last start (Group 3 Moonbeam Vase).  I think he has a good chance even if he carries a bit more weight this time, 57.5kgs compared to 54kgs last time. He's the sort of horse who likes a bit of give, not too hard.

“Hopefully, there is a bit of rain. At least, it's a night meeting when the track is not as hard as on a day meeting.”

Just like with Sebrose, Chase is another horse Nunes takes over from Shafiq, this time with some helpful inside information from the former two-time Singapore champion apprentice jockey.

“Shafiq told me Chase took off at the 600m at his last start. He was too keen,” he said.

“I think we should not count that run. Mark has taken the visor off this time, and I galloped him last Tuesday and he worked very well.  He's a four-year-old with a nice turn of foot and the Long Course will be even better for him.”

After a see-saw start to his bid for a third title in a row, Nunes has managed to push his way back to the top of the heap, but is the first to admit those days of tearaway leads are long gone.

In 2014 at the same time of the year (mid-April), he was on 40 winners and 13 winners clear of Alan Munro and last year, he was even further ahead on 50 winners with a wider gap of 23 winners on Munro again.

In stark contrast this term, no trebles by the spades, a narrow lead on 26 winners with a breathing space of only four wins on Vlad Duric and Danny Beasley, the two jockeys who have been spearheading the change of the guard on the leaderboard. Both commenced the year later but their superior strike rates of 22% (Duric) and 19% (Beasley) saw them snapping at Nunes' (14%) heels in no time.

“There is a lot more competition among the jockeys this year, which can only be a good thing for the sport,” said Nunes.

“Danny and Vlad are good jockeys and they have added depth to the ranks. Michael Rodd will be back soon and Glen Boss is on his way.  But it's up to me to prove myself. Mark's horses are coming back to form after a break and I'm confident his new young horses will come through soon.

“Even the older horses are still in winnable races once they drop back in class. Like Free Happy and Dreamcatcher, both are running in easier grade and have a chance on Friday.

“The stable is in good form and the horses should be there.”