Espindola Happy to show his Magic

KUALA LUMPUR:  Jan 29, 2023
 

Brazilian jockey Ivan Vitor Espindola da Silva has taken just two rides to get off the mark in his maiden stint in Malaysia.

Unplaced in his only ride last Monday, the 19-year-old made it count with his only engagement this afternoon when he piloted HAPPY MAGIC to a thrilling win in the Class 5 - 2000m handicap at Sungei Besi here today.

HAPPY MAGIC started a firm favourite over 1700m here two weeks ago but was no match for the runaway winner GALLANT BLACK. However, he came into his own over the longer trip today.

Espindola rode a copy book race on the New Zealand gelding, settling him just off the pace early, then went up to join the pacemaker O'REILLY BAY approaching the 1000m.

HAPPY MAGIC broke away soon after the 400m and starteded to kick clear. SMART INVESTMENT, who made the run at the home turn widest of the field, gave chase in the final 200m and caught up with him in the closing stages.

But HAPPY MAGIC refused to surrender and held on to win by a short head. It was his third win in 15 starts.

"I really like Malaysia and this is a very good experience for me," said Espindola who rode at the Jockey Club Brasileiro for two years and was the champion apprentice in 2020.

"I did my best last week and got to know the track. Trainer Cheng (Han Yong) gave me another opportunity today and I am glad we won. The track here is very good to ride."

Espindola turned professional in 2021 and moved to ride at the Farwaniya Jockey Club in Kuwait and has 135 winners to his name thus far.

Cheng said: "I have to thank the owner who accepted my suggestion to put Espindola on the horse. The jockey did a good job and rode to instructions. Congratulations to him for getting a winner in his second ride for me."

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

1 

 CLASS 5 - 1250M
4 QIJI STAR S Dunderdale J Low

1
  (6 ch.a.g Star Witness - Galeishe by Galileo)  
5 Lim's Hopefully HY Cheng HK Cheng

2
3 Lim's Torpedo R Lines S Ruzaini

3
2 D'Great Win S Hamilton MM Firdaus

4
 

2

 CLASS 5 - 1250M
6 NOVA DASHING EP Tan MM Firdaus

1
  (9 b.nz.g Darci Brahma - Shinko Princess by Shinko King)  
4 Horse King MP Thwaites Y Aify

2
10 Isle Of Sky WC Lim SU Lim

3
3 The Swan S Dunderdale R Nuqman

4
 

3

 CLASS 5 - 2000M
1 HAPPY MAGIC HY Cheng V Espindola

1
  (4 br.nz.g Sacred Falls - Speeding by Volksraad)  
6 Smart Investment C Leck A Suriya

2
2 Topnotch AB Abdullah J Low

3
5 D'Great Swift R Lines S Ruzaini

4
 

4

 CLASS 4 - 1400M
4 D'GREAT DUCHESS S Siva SU Lim

1
  (6 b.nz.m El Roca - Havana Miss by Red Ransom)  
2 Dragon Ryker S Dunderdale J Low

2
10 Triple One Star R Lines CK Khaw

3
5 Ordos Legend SY Lim HS Gill

4
 

5

 METRO A (SW) - 1400M
3 SKYDANCE ECLIPSE F Maynard R Rueven

1
  (8 b.a.g Foxwedge - Mothwing by Encosta De Lago)  
9 Elite Remarkable V Sivan KC Tham

2
12 Chinese Tea F Maynard CK Khaw

3
6 Cheval Rapide S Dunderdale J Low

4
 

6

 CLASS 3 - 1200M
3 FLYING DURUMI R Lines S Ruzaini

1
  (5 b.am.h Noble Mission - Rena by More Than Ready)  
2 Golden Flame KC Tiang MM Firdaus

2
1 Semantan Prince S Dunderdale J Low

3
5 Nova Falcon HY Cheng M Ewe

4
 

7

 CLASS 4 - 1100M
7 RONALDO'S DREAM S Hamilton R Nuqman

1
  (6 b.nz.g Darci Brahma - Sweet Dreams Baby by Van Nistelrooy)  
13 Safeer AB Abdullah HS Gill

2
10 Happy Thirtynine MP Thwaites A Suriya

3
12 Good Fight S Dunderdale J Low

4
 

8

 CLASS 4 - 1100M
12 GOLDEN CHAMP KC Tiang R Nuqman

1
  (6 b.brz.h Midshipman - Conja by Cherokee)  
3 Oisin Express R Lines R Rueven

2
4 Magnum King SY Lim SU Lim

3
8 Flying Baby CC Ooi M Ewe

4
 

9

 CLASS 5 - 1250M
11 TRAVIS S Dunderdale T Ammar

1
  (6 b.nz.g Power - Tihi Keepa by Keeper)  
6 Star Fiftytwo KC Tiang R Nuqman

2
4 Uptown Girl MW Teh R Rueven

3
3 Jeram Gold V Sivan KH Chong

4
 

10

 CLASS 5 - 1500M
3 WILLIAM KING HY Cheng S Ruzaini

1
  (10 blk.a.g Key Business - Falsify by Is It True)  
7 Bintang Timor V Sivan J Low

2
4 JJ Star S Siva M Ewe

3
10 Cloud Shadow CC Ooi KC Tham

4