'MAKIN, EJAZ ARE STILL MY RIDES'

Nunes explains why he passed up top duo on March 9, and all’s sweet with Al-Arabiya

- Michael Lee

The booking of two jockeys other than Manoel Nunes on the two AlArabiya horses on March 9 surprised a few, especially for Makin.

The last-start winner will be ridden by Ryan Curatolo in the $70,000 Class 3 (1,600m), while the unbeaten Ejaz (three-from three) will have Ronnie Stewart up in the $70,000 Class 3 (1,200m).

Nunes is not only the regular partner of both Steven Burridgetrained gallopers, but he also rode the pair to their five wins between them.

In horse racing, splits - permanent or temporary - are certainly not uncommon, sometimes, for no rhyme or reason.

But, before tongues start wagging, the Brazilian ace assured that, in this case, he and Al-Arabiya's Mansoor Gandhi had not suddenly fallen out.

If anything, the Singaporean owner is still "twisting his arm" to get back on his two horses - in jest, of course, as such riding changes are not allowed.

Nunes said his status as Gandhi's No. 1 rider had never changed, but he had valid reasons for jumping off the duo this time around, even if Makin was closer to call.

He actually steered the Written Tycoon four-year-old to his second win at his last start in a Class 3 (1,400m) on Feb 24.