Moreira digs in for championship fight

Trailing Zac Purton by two winners in the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship with only three meetings left in the 2021/22 season, Joao Moreira believes his arch-rival holds the upper hand as the Brazilian bids to erase the deficit with a string of key rides at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Champion in 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2020/21, Moreira has nine rides – one fewer than Purton – on Sunday but has high hopes for Keefy in the Class 2 Chow Silver Plate Handicap (1400m) and President’s Choice in the Class 4 Arculli Trophy Handicap (1600m).

With just 30 races remaining across three meetings, Purton leads 131-129 and, while Moreira believes the Australian is well placed to secure a fifth title, the ‘Magic Man’ refuses to yield.

“I wouldn’t go home, I wouldn’t finish the season without putting on a fight. Of course, I’m trying my best and I’m doing everything I can. However, I still got the feeling that Zac has got the best rides,” Moreira said.

“He’s got more support than I’ve got in the crucial time of the season but that doesn’t mean that I’m giving up. That doesn’t mean that I don’t think I have a chance and no doubts we’re going to do our best until the end.”

Predicting three-year-old Keefy could ultimately graduate to Group race company, Moreira believes the All Too Hard gelding can further cement Frankie Lor’s grip on the trainers’ championship. Lor currently leads John Size 90-84.

“To ride a winner, it doesn’t matter who it’s for and that’s what we aim for, but Frankie has given me some good opportunities this season and it would be nice – one week before the end of the season – to win another race for him and we have a horse that’s capable,” Moreira said.

“He was very impressive last start and he’s the kind of horse who has a lot of upside and can still improve a lot,” Moreira said. “He will need that because he’s coming up in class and challenging stronger horses, but I’m looking forward to riding him.”

Runner-up twice this season on President’s Choice, Moreira hopes to go one better for Michael Chang on Sunday.

“I’ve attempted to win races with him a couple of times and I wasn’t able to succeed so it is something that I want to finish off this season by winning with him if I can,” Moreira said.

“He’s been knocking on the door and he honestly should have won a race this season already. He is in good form, he is running well and I’m hoping he can bring it all to the races. I believe he’s a winning chance.”

Sitting third in the Tony Cruz Award standings as the most successful home-grown jockey behind Matthew Chadwick (53) and Vincent Ho (48) with 44 wins, Derek Leung hopes All Riches can add further lustre to an already outstanding season with success in the Class 4 Chan Trophy Handicap (1400m).

Leung, 33, has already eclipsed his previous best mark of 39 victories in a season and is optimistic of adding more before the end of the term.

“I can’t complain, I have had a very good season with very good support. I will keep doing my best and hopefully I can ride a few more winners before the end of the season,” he said.

“I’m a little bit behind now (in the Tony Cruz Award), I had a couple of days suspended but I will still do my best and hopefully there are more winners to come.”

Alexis Badel exudes a similar attitude as the Frenchman prepares to partner Sweet Diamond in the Class 4 Li Cup Handicap (1200m) for Ricky Yiu.

The Frenchman notched his 50th winner at Happy Valley last Wednesday and, having savoured Group 1 success aboard star sprinter Wellington this season, is keen to close the campaign on a high.

“I feel very happy now, I feel in good form and very fit,” Badel, 32, said. “I recovered from a few suspensions as well. I think 50 winners is a good record and I’m looking for a better season next year. I’ll try to improve and overall, I’m looking to get better.

“It’s so competitive here and you want to fight to get as many winners as possible.” - Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Happy Won turned in a very nice debut run and looks to have good ability; he can prove hard to beat second-up for leading trainer Frankie Lor’s stable with Purton riding. Forever Friends second start and will be fitter after fading latte on debut, expect improvement. Our Precious having third start and may improve here. Inspiring City ran the third fastest sectional time last start when on debut, he can also be an improver second-up. Lean Hero another second-up horse who may show more than he did on debut.

Race 2: Lady First always finishes close up and must be rated a chance at this level, an open race but he might get the race run to suit to finish strongly over the top. Happy Tango has a better chance on this surface and look for improvement, he’ll be a good chance with Moreira in the saddle but will need some luck from the wide draw. Wisdom Patch had vet excuses last start and forget the run. Provided good health, he can run well for Purton. Lucky Ruby had excuses last start when racing wide without cover. Moeraki faded late last start, chance to improve under right race shape.

Race 3: Luck Star changed stables recently and has improved as seen last run when a good third place. From barrier 3, he can map the winner and shed his maiden tag. Proud Dragon drops down in grade and start following. Country Treasure showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight and he might come on well for that solid effort. Turbo Power can improve second-up from a break after appearing to be well in need of the first-up run last time. Chicken Dance good performance when returning to form last start and he can map well from a low draw.

Race 4: El Valiente caught the eye last start when running home well but he might be able to map closer the speed here, which will prove the winning difference. Star Of Glory was an easy last start winner and must be respected stepping away from barrier 2, where he can map the winner again. Circuit Spiritanto finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start and is improving. Go Go Sixteen has ability and is always dangerous in this grade and he will get a nice run in transit. Run Des Run fresh up from a break and should run well at odds.

Race 5: California Vanes last start winner who retains good form and can run well again with some luck from barrier 10. Universal Horizon newcomer who looks a winning chance in this race after trialling well on several occasions. Purton was aboard those but chooses California Vanes, seemingly. Sweet Diamond last start winner who remains in the same grade and can be competitive again. Valhalla ran the third fastest sectional last start on debut over 1000m, but he’ll be better suited up in trip here. Dragon Kingdom was an easy last start winner and must be respected.

Race 6: Let’s Do It will win in this grade very soon after runner-up in his first Class 4 run last time. From barrier 3, he should get all favours in the run. Oscar Glory can bounce back a winner anytime in this class and he did have excuses last start when hampered mid-race. President’s Choice has been knocking on the door and win won’t surprise anyone, another winning chance in a wide-open race. Woodfire Bro caught the eye last start when running home well and he is improving all the time. Cordyceps Two last start winner who retains good form and can run well again.

Race 7: Tycoon Jewellery narrowly beaten last start and goes close here with Purton taking the ride. He looks ready to win and can take a power of beating. Rockpaperscissors good performance when storming home for a nice second last start to Tuchel. That’s good form but he needs luck from the gate here and is a noted roarer. Millennium Falcon a proven performer at this level and rates in the chances. Plikclone caught the eye last start running home powerfully but he can map closer with earlier intent. Circuit Mighty caught wide last start but has a good gate here and can improve.

Race 8: Brilliant Way disappointed last start but looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form. He can be given a winning chance as he steps away from barrier 2. Reve Parisien every chance last start but still ran a good race and he is another big winning chance in an open contest. Beauty Charge caught the eye last start running home powerfully on debut. Second-up now and expect an even better run. Xponential video replay showed last run was very good and he can map a chance. Spirited Express second start and will be fitter, longshot claims her.

Race 9: Everyone’s Victory badly checked last start and then weakened, a total pen job and give another chance here. There’s a ton of speed engaged and he’ll be finishing strongly over the top because of it. Elon can improve second-up from a break and he, too, will relish a fast tempo. Call Me Teddy has been knocking on the door and win won’t surprise anyone. Jolly Ruler had genuine excuses last start when badly held up at a crucial stage in the race. Super Axiom can lead in this race and be hard to run down if left alone, which seems unlikely.

Race 10: Keefy nice three-year-old who shed his local maiden tag impressively last start and he looks all set to go on with it. A nice horse on the up from the Frankie Lor yard. Navas Two every chance last start but still ran a good race and he can bounce back a winner anytime at this level. Captain Win video replay showed the last run was very good. Beauty Fit had no luck last start, held up over concluding stages, charged home late into second. Circuit Stellar remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here after running well on several occasions.