Visiting French jockey Davy Bonilla landed his first winner in Singapore when Pioneer Seven took out the $65,000 Restricted Maiden over 1200m on the Polytrack on Friday night.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
Riding the speed throughout, Pioneer Seven scored by a length-and-a-half over Boardwalk (Ivaldo Santana) with Big Respect (Saimee Jumaat) four-and-a-quarter lengths away third.
Bonilla, 39, is a multiple Group winning jockey and commenced a six-month riding stint in Singapore on November 1.
In 14 previous rides, Bonilla had failed to fill a place and his night didn’t start too well with the scratching at the barrier of Demand in the opening race.
But riding the Mok Zhan Lun-trained Pioneer Seven was easy work for Bonilla who had the gelding positioned to the outside of the favourite Big Respect throughout the race before taking over soon after straightening for home and putting the race beyond doubt.
Bonilla said it was great to finally get the first winner under the belt and hopes it will be the first of many.
“So far so good,” said Bonilla. “Things have started off quietly but hopefully getting this win will help me along.
“The tracks are very good here and there is very good competition with the horses, jockeys and the trainers.
“It is nice to get on a good horse and he will be a good one to stick with. He’s got a bit of character this horse.
“To travel like that close to the lead he was happy. There was no-one to challenge him and he kept the run going strongly all the way home.”
Mok described Pioneer Seven as a “nut case” but hopes in time that he will settle down.
“He’s got a lot of ability but is a nut case,” said Mok. “Right from the first day he has shown us a lot of ability.
“He’s just a nervy sort of horse once he gets out on to the big track. He wants to turn around and go back to the stables.
“He’s slowly starting to settle down and hopefully he will settle down even further and go on and win some better races.”
Pioneer Seven was sent out favourite at his last start on August 3 when a fading 12th when ridden by Joao Moreira and was sent back to the barrier trials following that run.
“He had five trials before he was right to come back to the races,” said Mok. “I think those trials have helped settle him down.”
A three-year-old by Flying Pegasus from the Key Business mare Enterprising Lady, Pioneer Seven was an A$20,000 yearling purchase and has returned owner Chionh Teck Swee around $35,000 in prizemoney following Friday night’s success.
