Ruan Maia in all probability attracts odd seems to be each time he says he’s going again to Singapore for one more stint.
It’s akin to listening to somebody is leaving an organization that went bust, however is becoming a member of one other one which can be about to place up the shutters.
The Brazilian jockey was simply pressured out of Macau after its final race was run at Taipa Racecourse on March 30.
Jockeys are collateral harm, however expat riders are barely higher off than trainers and house owners.
They only need to pack their saddles elsewhere, however to choose a jurisdiction which was following the identical means of the dodo on Oct 5 might sound a contact irrational.
Maia, who rode with success at Kranji, particularly in 2020 when he completed runner-up to Vlad Duric, knew all alongside such a shortlived possibility won’t be the very best.
However, it was the primary nation that sprang to thoughts when the rug was pulled from below him in Macau.
“After I discovered Macau racing was ending on April 1, I needed to search for a brand new place. There wasn’t a lot time left,” stated the 35-year-old.
“I considered Singapore first as I’ve all the time appreciated this nation, the life-style, the folks and its racing.
“I do know it’s closing down, too, like Macau. It’s so arduous I’ve to undergo this once more, everyone was crying on the final assembly, like trainers Tony Fung and Joe Lau.
“I used to be unhappy, too, although I rode three winners. Macau was the place I spent 3½ years and was champion there thrice, together with the final one.
“However I needed to transfer on. That was my final likelihood to journey in Singapore.”
Two fellow Taipa riders, unknown at Kranji, are following go well with, Luis Corrales and Charles Perkins. In addition they make their Kranji using debut on April 13.
Some should argue Maia has come again along with his tail between the legs. He did spurn his likelihood in 2023, why the change of coronary heart?
Principally, his reply was circumstances change, particularly when thrown two curveballs solely six months aside.
“I used to be supposed to return and journey in Singapore final 12 months round July. However sadly, the information got here via in June that Singapore racing was closing down,” he defined.
“I made a decision to not come over. I needed to search for a longer-term possibility, and Macau was the following greatest.
“It’s after all of the place that put me on the map and gave me a possibility to return to Singapore.
“However, it’s additionally closed down. I couldn’t consider my dangerous luck.”
The double whammy has taken him full circle, albeit Singapore is a band-aid answer to the now-father of 16-month-old Isabella.
The 700-odd race winner’s good standing, particularly in Asia, in all probability helped him get thrown a lifeline – two, as a matter of reality.
“I’ve additionally utilized for Korea. I used to be fortunate they gave me a licence, too,” stated Maia who can even journey at Kuala Lumpur on April 14.
“However I nonetheless have to get a visa. Within the meantime, I’ll journey in Singapore till the tip.
“If the visa in Korea comes via, I’ll attempt to speak to them (to set the beginning date after Oct 5).”
Casting the web vast has paid off for Maia, although one can really feel he wished he had by no means left Kranji.
“I don’t know anyone in Korea, I’ll have to begin yet again,” stated the 71-race winner at Kranji.
“I’ve all the time had good connections at Kranji. Like Macau, Singapore was additionally my second dwelling.
“My greatest reminiscences are the 2018 Group 2 Chairman’s Trophy with Circuit Land at just one journey, my two Group 1 wins with Aramaayo (Kranji Mile and Raffles Cup in 2020) and naturally, my seven winners (Aug 23, 2020).
“However, Covid-19 made it worse in 2021, trainers left and went again to Australia. On the similar time, I bought the supply to journey in Hong Kong.”
Maia couldn’t flip down the prospect of a lifetime to journey within the Asian racing hub, however the honeymoon interval didn’t final lengthy.
“The primary season in Hong Kong was superb, however house owners and trainers stopped giving me rides the following 12 months,” he stated.
“A couple of trainers like Donna Logan and Shane Baertschiger requested me to return again to Singapore. They stated they’d assist me.
“That’s once I known as it quits, and was all set for a return to Singapore. It wasn’t meant to be, however this time, it’s for actual.
“I texted a couple of trainers earlier than I bought right here. David Kok, James Peters and Mahadi Taib are some who stated they’d assist me.”
They’re amongst those that booked Maia on eight rides at his first day again on April 13, with Kok supplying half of them, together with Pacific Emperor within the $100,000 Kranji Stakes A (1,100m).
