Racing: Perfect eight for magical Moreira

Week after week, Joao Moreira suits up in brightly coloured jerseys and saddles up on horses. To the incessant demands of the thousands of punters who line the Kranji racecourse galleries, the jockey searches for victory after victory - seeking perfection.

On the afternoon of Sept 6, he finally found a little piece of it. The 29-year-old Brazilian, hailed in the stands as "Magic" Moreira, rode to a flawless eight-for-eight win performance to cement his place in racing folklore.

Singaporean Saimee Jumaat had previously held the highest number of wins in a day at Kranji with seven out of 12 races in 2009. But as Moreira's feat was a perfect streak, many have compared him to Italian Frankie Dettori's "Magnificent Seven" wins in Britain in 1996.

Said Singapore Turf Club vice-president (racing) Mike Wanklin: "I have been in racing for over 30 years and I have not - nor ever will again - witness what Joao achieved.

I am gobsmacked at what was achieved. "Eight, and to do it from eight rides, it's just phenomenal. From an athletic and human viewpoint, and whether it is racing or any other sport, it is just incredible someone can have the focus and drive to perform such a faultless score."

The accolades run deep, but Moreira, despite also having won the jockey premiership title for the past three years, humbly rejects the suggestion that he is the best jockey in Singapore.

"I'm not the best. I don't think I'm the most skilled rider nor am I the smartest," said the champion, who is leading the standings this year with 150 wins.

"I've just been making good use of my opportunities, and probably, no one else has done as good as me in this aspect." He believes he has been able to better his winning percentages and make good of the rides that have been offered to him because of his thorough preparations.

The local races may be held on weekends, but for him it all starts as early as Monday. He spends most of the day going through the entire race card accessing all the horses' forms and their previous performances.

Then, after discussions with the horse owners, he finally decides on his rides before formulating his game plan by running several race scenarios in his head. Said Moreira: "You don't go in and just ride. You must always have something in mind and know what to expect.

"It will not be 100 per cent, but you know your moves and you take your actions. You make plan A, plan B, and if they don't go your way, you use plan C." It also helps that the Parana-born former syce (horse handler) develops an understanding with horses easily.

Like in the seventh race of his record-breaking show, Moreira led Weowna Flyer to his first career victory in 23 races. Having ridden the horse before, the jockey sensed that the gelding did not like running too close alongside others.

Said Moreira: "If he felt crowded in, he would be intimidated. So, I took him out wide (away from the pack). We had to cover a lot of ground, but it worked. I wouldn't have won if he came in on the inside, instead." It was with such meticulousness that Moreira approached each of his eight victories - mentally ticking them off one at a time as he secured each win.

He said: "One after another. I'm concentrating and riding each horse, individually, never thinking about the winners before or later." But now, off the saddle and dressed loosely in the comfort of a T-shirt and blue jeans, Moreira allows himself to loosen the reins - if only for awhile. He said: "I still can't stop smiling."

ugenec@sph.com.sg

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