Fairway's Turf Online

Laercio De Souza tops table with high five

KUALA LUMPUR: May 29, 2022

With his brother, multiple champion jockey Jose's departure for Mauritius after more than a decade on the Malaysia scene, younger brother Laercio De Souza is determined to keep flying the family flag high.

De Souza, who did his apprenticeship in Malaysia, came closest to winning the championship while still indentured to trainer Richard Lines in 2018 when he finished second on the table with 47 winners, behind Ruzaini Supien with 54 wins.

While he has finished above his elder brother in the table in the last two years, De Souza was not in contention for the title.

This could be a breakout year for the Brazilian.

De Souza was in superb form at Sungei Besi this afternoon when he bagged five wins.

He enjoyed an easy victory astride MICHIKAWA, a horse he was riding for the first time, but has work extra hard to score on SKYDANCE ECLIPSE who won by a nose on a photo-finish. The pair also had to survive an objection to take the main event of the day.

De Souza completed a hattrick when successful on TIGRESS, another galloper he was riding for the first time.

De Souza then wound up the afternoon by taking the last two races on MEWTWO and MERCURIAL TURN.

With the five wins, he now tops the table with 28 winners.

"I am grateful for the good rides today, and a bit of luck as well," said De Souza. "I am thankful to all the owners and trainers who have supported me. I do my best in every ride."

Jose won three consecutive titles in 2014 (75 wins), 2016 (50 wins) and 2016 (60 wins).

RESULTS AT A GLANCE: Tote No / Horse / Trainer / Jockey / Position

1	CLASS 5 - 1300M
5	OFFICIAL	KC Tiang	J Low	1
	(6 b.a.g The Factor - Japali Bike by Zabeel)
9	Travis	S Dunderdale	S Ruzaini	2
3	Super Line	V Sivan	MM Firdaus	3
11	Trinity Revival	SY Lim	M Ekdihar	4

2	CLASS 5 - 1300M
3	GHOST BAY	BT Lim	R Nuqman	1
	(7 b.nz.h Darci Brahma - Casino Snip by High Rolling)
1	Invisible	R Lines	S Sia	2
2	Havana	S Siva	S Ruzaini	3
4	Smooth Operator	M Sukri	J Low	4

3	CLASS 5 - 2000M
4	O'REILLY BAY	AB Abdullah	Y Aify	1
	(9 b.nz.g O'Reilly - Pinot Gris by Pentire)
5	Golden Craftsman	HY Cheng	S Ruzaini	2
1	Silent Prince	C Leck	Clyde Leck	3
6	Lightning Hero	C Leck	A Suriya	4

4	OPEN NOVICE (SW) - 1500M
6	WAIMEA	L Moy	I Fikri	1
	(4 b.nz.g Coats Choice - Marceline by Montjeu)
4	RS Diago	R Lines	L De Souza	2
2	Rings Of Fire	AB Abdullah	S Ruzaini	3
5	Golden Cup	HY Cheng	J Low	4

5	CLASS 4 - 1800M
10	MICHIKAWA	HY Cheng	L De Souza	1
	(4 b.nz.g Proisir - Lavalliere by Medaglia D'Oro)
2	Shoqeet	AB Abdullah	W Faizal	2
7	Moment Of Justice	MP Thwaites	S Shazmin	3
4	Come And Take All	V Sivan	R Rueven	4

6	METRO A (SW) - 1700M
1	SKYDANCE ECLIPSE	F Maynard	L De Souza	1
	(7 b.a.g Foxwedge - Mothwing by Encosta De Lago)
9	Dancing Rain	K Coetzee	S Ruzaini	2
2	Target	C Leck	A Suriya	3
5	Black Thorn	SY Lim	M Ekdihar	4

7	CLASS 4 - 1250M
9	TIGRESS	R Lines	L De Souza	1
	(6 b/br.a.m Uncle Mo - Fly Me Home by Flying Spur)
2	Top S	BT Lim	R Nuqman	2
8	Gratus	S Dunderdale	J Daniel	2
1	Dahees	AB Abdullah	W Faizal	4
	**Deadheat for 2nd

8	CLASS 4 - 1250M
3	RESOLUTE	S Siva	R Rueven	1
	(5 b.a.g Dissident - Sonota Queen by Commands)
1	Berry Bliss	C Leck	Clyde Leck	2
4	Desire Sky	R Lines	S Sia	3
8	Shine Shine	KC Tiang	J Low	4

9	CLASS 4 - 1250M
6	ICHIKA BACHIKA	S Dunderdale	J Daniel	1
	(6 b.a.g Moshe - Memphis Dawn by Elvstroem)
4	Sacred Tonic	S Siva	S Ruzaini	2
10	Handsome Boy	HY Cheng	J Low	3
5	Joju	R Lines	S Sia	4

10	CLASS 5 - 1300M
9	MEWTWO	S Siva	L De Souza	1
	(8 br.a.m Dick Turpin - Lady Noire by Bletchley Park)
6	Looks Good	MP Thwaites	J Daniel	2
4	Bangalore	C Leck	Clyde Leck	3
10	Selangor Baby	BT Lim	R Nuqman	4

11	CLASS 5 - 1300M
4	MERCURIAL TURN	R Lines	L De Souza	1
	(5 b/br.a.g Written Tycoon - Paris Return by Cozzene)
10	Golden Kingdom	HY Cheng	KC Tham	2
2	Mise En Garde	R Lines	S Sia	3
1	Happy Magic	HY Cheng	J Low	4
5	Stay Sound	C Leck	Clyde Leck	4
	**Deadheat for 4th