Fairway's Turf Online

Espindola sparkles on Northern Star

PENANG: Feb 19, 2023

Since making his bow four weeks ago, rides have been few for Ivan Vitor Espindola, a former leading apprentice in his native Brazil.

But the 19-year-old has made good use of the opportunities that came his way, winning his second ride on HAPPY MAGIC at Sungei Besi on Jan 29.

For this weekend's races in Penang, Espindola has just one engagement on NORTHERN STAR in the final race (Class 5 - 1700m handicap) today and he made it count.

Espindola had NORTHERN STAR parked on the rails on settling down. EL PRIMERO, who set the pace, was joined by GOLDEN SHOW at the 600m and the pair quickly broke away and led by several lengths into the straight.

Hpwever, the breakaway took the toll on GOLDEN SHOW and he faded quickly at the 200m, leaving EL PRIMERO a clear leader in front. By then, Espindola had moved NORTHERN STAR up to third and quickening strides rapidly.

NORTHERN STAR raced past EL PRIMERO in the final 50m to win by one length.

NORTHERN STAR, bought for A$130,000 as a yearling, managed just one placing (in Restricted Maiden) in six starts in Singapore.

Moving to Malaysia, the Australian gelding has shown consistency throughout 2022 but only finally broke the duck in a Class 5 - 1600m handicap here last December.

Promoted to Class 4 NORTHERN STAR was unplaced in two runs last month but he took advantage of a drop in class today to get back into the winner's circle for his second win 18 starts.

Espindola has now ridden just 11 times for two wins and three placings.

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

1	CLASS 5 - 1300M
3	PLACE YOUR BET	K Coetzee	S Saddam	1
	(9 b.a.g Alfred Nobel - Magical Memories by Bletchley Park)
4	Colour Paint	K Coetzee	S Sia	2
5	Bangkok Boy	HS Lim	Z Syafifie	3
8	Sunny Star	CW Robert	M Ewe	4

2	CLASS 5 - 1300M
3	SHOWCASE THE GOLD	HS Lim	Z Syafifie	1
	(6 b.nz.g Showcasing - Uno Sayuri by Scatter The Gold)
9	Fire Away	K Coetzee	HS Gill	2
7	Storm To Win	SY Lim	Z Khairil	3
6	Julius Caesar	K Coetzee	M Ewe	4

3	CLASS 4 - 1200M
3	LEGACY ROAR	K Ananthen	KC Tham	1
	(5 b.a.g I Am Invincible - Sorel Point by Encosta De Lago)
11	Winning Hobby	S Cook	S Sia	2
1	Qiji Diamond	S Cook	AK Lim	3
2	Trafalgar	M Sukri	Z Syafifie	4

4	CLASS 4 - 1200M
4	ICE OUT SIXTY-ONE	S Cook	AK Lim	1
	(5 b.a.g Foxwedge - Elay Princess by Universal Prince)
1	Gold Sky Billion	K Ananthen	KC Tham	2
6	Talented	HY Cheng	HK Cheng	3
7	Oud Wood	K Ananthen	Z Syafifie	4

5	RAPID STAKES A (SW) - 1200M
5	BIG DOCTOR	T Asogan	KC Tham	1
	(6 b/br.a.g Better Than Ready - Royalsyn by Royal Academy)
8	Final Touch	HY Cheng	Z Khairil	2
4	No Fun No Gain	S Cook	AK Lim	3
6	Lim's Dashing	K Coetzee	S Saddam	4

6	CLASS 5 - 1100M
1	FAST AND SUPER	E Breukelen	S Saddam	1
	(5 b.nz.g Sweynesse - Fastnfree by Shinko King)
4	Miracle Captain	R Lines	R Ruwaidy	2
5	Pontianak	S Shanmugam	SS Vanan	3
10	King Power	P Lee	KC Tham	4

7	CLASS 5 - 1100M
4	MATILDA	K Ananthen	KC Tham	1
	(7 br/gr.a.m The Factor - More Than Promised by More Than Ready)
7	Golden Rooster	S Cook	AK Lim	2
8	Bring It Down	K Ananthen	HK Cheng	3
5	Alcatraz	CC Ooi	S Sia	4

8	CLASS 5 - 1700M
3	NORTHERN STAR	HY Cheng	V Espindola	1
	(4 gr.a.g Written Tycoon - Kutina by Kendargent)
1	El Primero	T Asogan	KC Tham	2
6	Raise Me Up	B Ng	HK Cheng	3
2	Golden Show	T Asogan	Z Khairil	4