3 minute read

Hong Kong racing starts up again on Sunday at Sha Tin and one man raring to get back into local action after the two-month summer break is champion jockey Joao Moreira.

The Brazilian made waves in Japan last weekend with seven wins over two days and a brilliant triumph in the JRA World All-Star Jockeys series.

That came after a six-week holiday in his homeland, during which time he rode one day at Sao Paulo, notching one success and going close in a couple of G1 contests.

Moreira will partner Teofilo Calva in Sunday’s feature contest, the Class 1 Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive’s Cup (1200m), for trainer John Size and overall is pleased with his line-up of rides as he aims to kick off what he hopes will be another championship season.

“I’ve got a good book of rides, some really nice horses,” he said. “They’re not necessarily all the best chances in each race, but I’m certainly very happy with what I’ve got.

“I rode Teofilo Calva in a barrier trial last week and he went well - I’m happy with how he’s going. It’s not an easy race but if he brings his best then he will have a chance.

“We all know that Size horses can keep stepping forward and I think he’s one of those.”

The race features Hong Kong’s former two-time Champion Sprinter, the Caspar Fownes-trained Lucky Nine, who holds an entry for the G1 Sprinters Stakes in Japan on 4 October.

The eight-year-old has been allotted 133lb at the head of the handicap but should benefit from the 10lb claim of apprentice Jack Wong who is fresh from a runner-up finish in last weekend’s Asian Young Guns Challenge.

The field of 11 also features the Tony Cruz-trained Beauty Flame, twice a G1 runner-up last term, as well as the smart performers Domineer, Tour De Force, Access Years, Exciting Dream, Key Witness, I’m In Charge, You Read My Mind and High Five.

Moreira will also team up with trainer Ricky Yiu in the Class 2 Cotton Tree Handicap (1400m) aboard the potential Pattern race performer Packing Pins.

The five-year-old has won four of seven Hong Kong starts and is on a four-timer after ending last term with a hat-trick over the course and distance.

“I haven’t worked him and I haven't trialled him but I saw his barrier trial the other day and was very impressed,” said Moreira, referencing the gelding’s fine run in a 1000m trial last Saturday.

“If he brings the same kind of form he had at the end of last season, he’s definitely a horse with a chance and hopefully I can get the best out of him,” he added.

In the other Class 2 contest, the Albert Handicap over 1000m, Moreira will partner the Size-trained Country Melody.

This season the straight 1000m course will have a false rail positioned four metres in from the grandstand rail.

“Country Melody doesn’t like a soft track, so hopefully we can get some decent weather at the weekend,” said Moreira, who racked up a phenomenal record-smashing tally of 145 Hong Kong wins last term.

“With the new rail position now it’s going to be fair play as to where you are going to jump from - no more moving inside or outside, they’re just going to go straight over the 1000m and that’s good for him. Hopefully he’ll get a clear run.”