An old name is back in town to continue his riding stint in Singapore with four rides this coming weekend.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
Jose Verenzuela returns to the saddle at Kranji on Friday night with one ride – aboard Excavator in Race 7 for Mok Zhan Lun – and another three on Sunday, two for long-time supporter Desmond Koh and one for Bruce Marsh.
Ironically his ride for Marsh – Play On in the opening race, a Class 5 Stakes over 1200m – provided Verenzuela with his last success in Singapore on December 9 last year before the 44 year-old departed to the US for a long break.
Verenzuela said he needed time off to recuperate from injuries sustained when thrown from Winontop in a barrier mishap on December 2, despite riding at the following two meetings.
He added that he holidayed with family in Los Angeles and kept himself fit with regular visits to the gym.
“It took me three or four weeks to heal properly after I came off Winontop,” said Verenzuela who finished last year with 28 winners at a strike rate of 16.67%, second only to champion jockey Joao Moreira.
“After I got thrown from that horse at the barriers I rode the following week before heading home to Los Angeles for a holiday with my family.
“I had a bit of hip pain and shoulder pain and it took me three or four weeks to come right and I needed a good break to get over it.
“I feel really good now and I’m looking forward to another good year and although I haven’t been riding I am pretty fit as I was going to the gym three or four days a week.”
Verenzuela arrived back in Singapore on Tuesday and spent Wednesday and Thursday at trackwork renewing old acquaintances, although he didn’t get to ride too many in their final gallops for the weekend.
“Most of the horses had galloped on Tuesday, so I wasn’t required,” said Verenzuela. “I rode a couple this morning (Thursday) to get my eye back in.
“I’m looking forward to again riding in races and while I might only have a light book of rides this weekend hopefully I’ll get some more in the coming weeks.”
Whilst back in the US, Verenzuela said he kept a close eye on what was happening at Kranji, checking the race results and watching the replays of races, always being on the lookout for that next coming winner.
Verenzuela said he was looking forward to renewing his association with Group 1 winner Flax, the horse that provided the jockey with his only “black type” success in Singapore when victorious in the Raffles Cup last October.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back on Flax,” said Verenzuela. “He’s down to have a run at the end of the month.
“I’m going to get on him on Saturday morning, but I saw him this morning and he looks really well.
“He’s an exciting prospect.”
