Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)
Visiting Brazilian hoop Bruno Queiroz is making every post a winner in his local riding stint by adding a maiden New Zealand stakes success to his bag of tricks as he guided gallant mare Francee (Iffraaj) to a thrilling victory in the Listed James Bull Rangitikei Cup (1600m) at Trentham.
Queiroz, who had ridden for kiwi trainer Stephen Gray during a successful Singapore excursion after leaving his native Brazil, joined Gray in New Zealand earlier this month and immediately made an impact by riding a winner on his first day in the saddle here.
Te Akau Racing entrusted the natural lightweight to take the reins aboard the five-year-old mare Francee and he produced a peach of a ride on the daughter of Iffraaj, who landed the major spoils in a blanket finish from race favourite Knights Realm and Khanshe.
Francee settled nicely just behind the pace with Queiroz sitting quietly on her until bringing her into contention along the rail approaching the home bend.
Knights Realm, Bradman and Khanshe were strung across the track as Francee joined in to thrust her head in front in the final bound and collect her maiden black type success.
Co-trainer Mark Walker was delighted to see the mare pick up the thick end of the stake, along with the black-type and other benefits that go along with the victory.
“She tries really hard and it is just great for Haunui Farm, the Chitty family and everyone involved in her,” Walker said.
“I actually watched the race here in Melbourne and not long after I got a call from Caroline Chitty who was just so thrilled with what the mare had achieved.
“It really hits home why you participate in this industry when you get recognition like that and the win couldn’t have happened for a nicer group of people.”
Walker was also pleased about the effort from Queiroz, a talent he had seen first hand when training in Singapore.
“It was a tremendous ride from Bruno as he had her in the right place and was strong on her in the closing stages,” he said.
“We are lucky to have these experienced international riders coming to New Zealand and you can see just what they bring to the saddle in everything they do.
“We will sit down and talk with Mark (Chitty) about where we go now but I think this might have been an excellent grand final for her, so she could well be off to the paddock before the Chitty family have a think about whether she comes back for another campaign or goes to the broodmare barn.”
Francee carries the silks of co-breeder and owner Haunui Farm and is a daughter of 10-win mare, Calveen. A serious talent on the track, among Calveen’s victories were the Gr.1 Easter Handicap (1600m), Gr.2 Japan Trophy (1600m), Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) and Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m). She also placed in the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield.
Francee has now won four of her 22 starts and over $215,000 in prizemoney.
