3 minute read

While toiling his way through the Sao Paulo tracks during his early riding days, there were no prizes for guessing who Ruan Maia idolised - Brazil’s most famous export in racing, Joao Moreira.

With a haul of around 350 winners, including the Group 1 J Adhemar de Almeida Prado on board Maraton in 2016, Maia was no slouch either.

No doubt his record was not a patch on his role model's glittering CV, but little did he know he would one day follow into the footsteps of arguably one of the world's best jockeys.

Well, at least, as far as calling his workplace the same country that springboarded Moreira to superstardom – Singapore.

Maia's trajectory might have been slightly different via neighbouring Macau first (Moreira took his first port of call, Singapore, by storm, with the Brazilian tsunami then sweeping into Hong Kong) but the Lion City lights had always shimmered in the horizon. He now holds a Kranji ticket to ride – for 12 months.

In another deviation from Moreira's stellar career path, the 31-year-old Maia had already had a foretaste of the Kranji spotlights on five occasions – hit-and-runs that paid off at only his first stab, though, the Group 2 Chairman's Trophy on the Lee Freedman-trained Circuit Land in April 2018.

The two-time Macau champion jockey (in the last two seasons at the former Portuguese enclave) might not have enjoyed the same fortunes at his subsequent 13 rides, but the more he walked past the Changi Airport and Kranji turnstiles, the more certain he was where he was dropping anchor next.

"I've heard about Singapore from the time Joao was riding there. I followed his career and he did us proud with what he achieved," said Maia, who, with wife Erica, arrived from Macau on Sunday.

"It made me want to ride overseas, too. Of course, Joao was a champion back home and it's different for me, and that's why I chose Macau first.

"My friend Luis Duarte was riding there, and he helped me get the licence. The plan was to ride there with some success, and hopefully I can move to Singapore one day.

"I was lucky Mr Ngo (Tai Tak, Circuit Land's Hong Kong owner) gave me the opportunity to ride in Singapore last year. It was like a dream come true, my first ride here and I won a Group 2 race!

"But then I also felt heartbreak when Circuit Land lost so narrowly (to Elite Invincible) in the Dester Singapore Gold Cup last year.

"I've come back again four times more, but unfortunately, I didn't win again, finishing second a few times, including Healthy Star for Mr Ngo at my last visit (on Colonial Chief Stakes day on the last 2019 race meeting on December 8). But that's just the way it is, I still enjoyed the experience.

"The first time I came to Singapore, I already liked the city, it's so nice and beautiful, and I felt right at home. I knew right away that's where I wanted to ride."

Still, pulling the pin on a place where he was twice the kingpin was not easy. Before he left Macau, he sat second on the log on 14 winners, only two behind Roger Yu.

"I enjoyed my moment in Macau and won two champion jockey titles, and I'm very grateful to the Macau Jockey Club and the trainers and owners there for their support," said Maia whose name is etched next to big races like the Group 1 Macau Gold Cup with River Control in 2018 and the Group 1 Chairman's Challenge Cup with Mister Kaopu in March this year.

"Of course, it was a hard decision, but I'm still young and I needed a new challenge. The MJC were okay with the whole thing, they said they would be happy if I stayed, but they also understood it was a great opportunity for me."

Maia is not burning his bridges, though. He has left the door ajar for any invitation to the big Macau races, provided it does not clash with his commitments at Kranji, but it is clear which next chapter the 550-race winner is now focused on.

Unfortunately, with his Singapore work permit not ready yet, he will sit out the season opener on New Year's Day, though he has not lost hope of getting it on time for the following Saturday meeting on January 4.

"It's frustrating I can't even ride trackwork yet. I can only go running and hit the gym to keep fit, but at least, I've come early and I've already found a place in Woodlands," he said.

"I've also met a few trainers. It sure helped that I was here before and already know people like Cliff Brown, Lee Freedman, Steven Burridge, Michael Clements.

"Mok (Zhan Lun) gave me five rides the last time I was here, and has already told me he would help me with rides.

"After five visits, I know the track quite well, but I think I still need to learn more about it. Riding at one day and riding over a longer time are two different things.

"I have yet to ride on Polytrack and the pace is also so different here. In Macau, we go, go, go from the start, here it's more like Brazil; you jump, take a sit, let the horse relax and sprint.

"The weather in Singapore is another thing I'm getting used to. In Macau, we have winter and the weights are higher, but here it's hot all year, you sweat a lot, and the weights can be as low as 51kgs.

"But it's okay. I weigh 54kgs but I can go down to 52kgs no problem.

"The more important thing for now is to get my work permit, and then work hard, do a good job and hopefully, ride as many winners as possible."