THE Macau Jockey Club has broken new ground by issuing an international visitor's licence to Brazilian jockey Albenzio Barrio. The veteran rider has been in the saddle for 28 years and has reportedly ridden 4,600 winners in races in Brazil and all over north and south America. He has also represented his country in the World Invitation Cup in Japan. Brazil, where the language is Portuguese, has a well-established industry - though not on the same lines as Argentina whose horses have, for some years, been sought after in Australasia. Singapore's Martin Sng, who rode in last Sunday's International Cup at Sha Tin, will ride in Macau at the double-header this weekend. Sng is no stranger to Taipa and he has landed 12 rides which guarantees him a busy two days and worthwhile earnings in riding fees and the chance of percentages. While Sng is at Taipa only for this weekend's meetings, Barrio will be there until the end of the current racing season in June and he will be joined by New Zealander, Terrence Kennedy. The 24-year-old South Island rider was second in the jockeys' premiership there last season and has ridden more than 300 winners in almost 2,500 rides. Among his major race successes are the Air New Zealand Classic in 1988 and the Benson and Hedges Gold Cup in the following year.
