3 minute read

Jockey Jose Verenzuela rued the one that got away after he came within a whisker of landing his first Singapore feature race at his very first day of riding back at Kranji last Sunday, but he now hopes a bigger prize will not elude him in the future.

Relicensed for another 9 ½ months by the Singapore Turf Club, the Venezuelan rider finished third aboard Chase Me in the $200,000 Group 3 JBBA Moonbeam Vase (1800m) beaten only a-quarter-of-a-length by the winner Nandowra.

When Verenzuela decided to renew his Singapore experience following his good haul of 40 winners at his first crack last year, he set himself two targets: Emulate, if not better his score, and win a big race.

The 43-year-old jockey, whose career highlight remains the 2009 Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen with Big City Man, is not choosy about which trophy would sit nicely in his trophy cabinet already graced by big-race mementos from Venezuela and Saudi Arabia – as long as it's a premier event.

“It could be the (Singapore) Gold Cup, the (Emirates Singapore) Derby or the KrisFlyer (International Sprint), but winning a main race would be nice,” said Verenzuela who rode Eclair Fastpass to second behind Rocket Man in last year's KrisFlyer.

“Forget the SIA Cup (Singapore Airlines International Cup). The overseas horses are too good.

“But most importantly, I really want to do as well as last year. I've enjoyed my time here and I hope I can do the same if not better this year.”

Verenzuela, who is licensed from March 14 but put off his debut to only last weekend (he was even stood down last Friday) due to family commitments back in Los Angeles where he is based, saw his Moonbeam Vase second placegetter as a Singapore Derby hope.

“Chase Me should have won last Sunday. I lost my whip at the 100m mark,” he said of the Desmond Koh-trained gelding.

“That probably cost him the race as he's a horse who likes to get whacked.

“I think he's improved a lot since the last time I rode him. We won twice in Class 4 races, but then we got beat in a Class 3.

“The 2000m will not be a problem for him as he's more relaxed now and can definitely get a longer distance. He was fighting with me last Sunday but that was because they were walking in the first half-mile.”

Last year, Verenzuela had little joy in the Singapore Derby when he finished 11th aboard Flax, a horse he has a special bond with having scored four wins from five rides. Verenzuela was in the stands on March 30 when the game chestnut scored with jockey Subramaniam Anandan up, but collapsed from heat exhaustion after the winning post.

The jockey was among a team of vets who were the first to rush to the chestnut's side when he lay prone on the turf track.

“I ran to him the moment he fell. He was rearing and even smashed my sunglasses,” recalled Verenzuela.

“Luckily, he was okay. The vets did a good job to keep him out of harm's way and get him back on his feet.”

That caring side does not extend only to horses as Verenzuela also puts his family above anything else.

“I had to take care of a family member who was sick and admitted in a hospital just before I was supposed to get here,” said Verenzuela of the reason why he could not leave the US earlier. “It's all good now and that was why I was late by one week.”

Verenzuela said his focus was now to pick up where he left off (last winner was incidentally Flax on November 27), but burning out was not an option especially at his age.

“Back in LA, I did not really ride a lot in the last three months after I left Singapore. I did ride some winners but I was taking things easy,” he said.

“I also went to Miami to see my daughter. I plan to go back to the States for a one-month break in August.

“But I won't be riding at Del Mar like I did last year. I'll just go there for a holiday.

“I am here for a job, but I'm also the kind of guy who needs to get away for a while. It's important to me if I want to be at my best.

“I'm not getting any younger and I can't go at the same pace as before. But I'm still fit and strong and I will continue riding as long as I feel good.”