The riding scene in Singapore is sure to heat up a notch in the 2013 season with the arrival of Manoel Nunes.

The Brazilian, 37, has ridden for 17 years and plied his trade in a variety of countries such as his native Brazil, Argentina, Hong Kong, Mauritius, Dubai and South Korea, but is probably better known for his domination of the Macau scene in the last 10 years.

After first landing in the former Portuguese enclave in 2002, Nunes went on to win the Macau jockey’s championships in the 2004/05 and 2005/06 racing seasons. He then spent the next two seasons in Hong Kong before returning to Macau in 2008 to secure the title in the next four seasons.

Nunes, who currently tops the Macau premiership, has garnered more than 1,300 winners, with more than 800 earned in Macau.

Among his major achievements are winning the Macau Derby three times with DOPPIO (2005), SUNSHINE SIRE WIN (2009) and LUEN YAT FOREVER (2010) and the Macau Hong Kong Trophy with REDWOOD FALLS (2006).

Nunes also has 13 Group wins in Brazil to his name including five at Group 1 level, most notable being the Triple Crown series at Sao Paulo with QUARI BRAVO (1997). Interestingly he also won the Macau triple crown with LUEN YAT FOREVER (2010). He goes to scale at 52 kg.

Joining Nunes for a six-month stint from Jan 1 is Stephen King.

Previously apprenticed to former Kranji trainer John Meagher, King, 43, quickly rose through the Melbourne riding ranks to achieve a stellar career that boasts more than 1,000 winners, including 55 at Group 1 level, the most famous being a Melbourne Cup and a Caulfield Cup with champion mare LET’S ELOPE in 1991.

The one-time Melbourne champion jockey (1996-97) also captured the other big race in Melbourne, the WS Cox Plate with FIELD OF OMAGH in 2005.

King has also ridden by Hong Kong, Japan, Dubai, England, New Zealand and Singapore. He won the Group 1 Lion City Cup aboard ARENTI for his old master Meagher in 2006. He goes to scale at 53.5 kg.

Meanwhile, record-breaking jockey Joao Moreira, along with Danny Beasley, Barend Vorster and Ivaldo Santana have been granted a one-year licence for the new season.

Stephen Baster, Greg Cheyne, John Powell and Alan Munro have been granted six-month licences commencing from Jan 1.