Flying start in New Zealand for Queiroz
After clinching the 2024 Singapore champion jockey title right at its very final meeting at Kranji on Oct 5, the Brazilian returned home to continue his riding career.
He spent the next six months in Brazil before flying to his new riding base in Palmerston North on May 3.
With the help of ex-Kranji trainer Stephen Gray - who now trains with his father, Kevin, at Copper Belt Lodge in Palmerston North - Queiroz soon found himself sitting atop a winning ride at his first race meeting in New Zealand.
The Grays supplied two of his four rides at Trentham on May 10. The 23-year-old repaid their trust with a third on Albarossa on his first ride, before going two better with maiden runner Tycoon Boss in the NZ$20,000 (S$15,300) Doctor Askar Maiden race (1,000m) in the very next race.
Placed three times in as many starts previously, the three-year-old son of Street Boss sat in a handy position under Queiroz before upping the ante in the straight to stride home powerfully towards an easy 4.3-length win from Fleeting Glimpse (Jim Chung).
Queiroz, who turns 24 on May 15, was rapt with the breakthrough.
"I was so happy. I have to thank Mr Stephen Gray for the big opportunity to ride Tycoon Boss," said Queiroz.
"Stephen told me before the race that I've got two very good rides. Albarossa ran third at my first race in New Zealand and then Tycoon Boss won in my second race.
"I was confident he can win. I rode him in trackwork on the Friday before and he felt very fresh.
"He jumped very well and I sat second on him because the horse inside wanted to go to the front. At the last 300m, I put some pressure on him and he responded very nicely. He did it himself and it was an easy win."
Queiroz also had four rides at Whanganui on May 11, when he managed two fourths.
The Sao Paulo native had been wanting to keep riding overseas since his first successful overseas stint in Singapore.
He spoke to Gray in September 2024 and the latter agreed to help Queiroz kickstart his career in the Land of the Long White Cloud.
"I thought New Zealand is a nice place and it would be a good experience overseas," he said.
"Besides Stephen and (his wife) Bridget, I don't know anyone here. I flew to Auckland alone before arriving in Palmerston North.
"I'm staying with Stephen and Bridget now. Stephen's my main supporter and they will drive me to the races.
"But I'm also looking to rent a place around this area and to buy a car. My girlfriend (Kemilly Rodrigues) will join me next month.
"The weather's a bit cold for me but I do like the food and place. It's different from Brazil.
"I ride trackwork on weekdays here, and then in the races on weekends. I don't know my rides for this week yet, but (racing manager) Andre (Niel) will let me know tomorrow (Tuesday)."
Before his one-year stint in New Zealand, the two-time Rio de Janeiro champion jockey yielded good results from his rides at home, including a Group 1 win in the first leg of the Brazil Triple Crown, the Grande Prêmio Estado do Rio de Janeiro (1,600m) astride New Dance on Feb 9.
Queiroz also flew to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a short two-day raid on Jan 31 and Feb 2, when he bagged two wins at Sungai Besi.
"I had good results riding at home after I left Singapore. I rode mainly in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paolo and Curitiba," he said.
"I rode 36 winners, including a Group 1 win on New Dance in the Brazil Triple Crown in Rio de Janeiro, two Group 2 races and two Listed races. My last ride in Brazil was on April 29.
"I don't have a goal for myself in New Zealand, but I will do my best to ride many winners. Hopefully, I get to ride in the bigger races in Auckland too.
"My experiences here would be good for my resume. Maybe, in future, I can ride in Hong Kong or Australia."
sharonzhang@sph.com.sg
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