Moreira in search of early-season winners

Conceding he is still marginally short of complete fitness, Joao Moreira will attempt to strike quickly when the four-time Hong Kong champion jockey resumes at Sha Tin on Sunday.

The Brazilian rode in the trials at Sha Tin on Friday morning and is again ready to joust with arch-rival Zac Purton for a 10th season after returning from Brazil, where he had surgery during the off-season.

Slated to take eight rides, Moreira is confident he will soon be in peak condition after struggling physically during last season.

“To be honest, I wouldn’t be able to say that I’m 100% fit myself. I’ve been working hard, I’ve been doing the training, I’ve been doing everything I can to make sure that I get myself back to my best fitness, but I would say at this stage I would be 90%,” he said.

“Give me another two weeks and then I would be back to my best fitness and health condition.

“I’ve done some surgery and the surgery has got me feeling so much better. The surgery has gone very well and has put me where I wanted to be and I might just need a little bit more time to be 100%.”

E Brother, who contests the first section of the Class 4 Bedford Handicap (1200m, dirt) for Manfred Man, is among Moreira’s mounts on Sunday.

“He gave me a good feel in trackwork and I would be very surprised if he did not go there and do his best. He’s a dirt horse, his form indicates that, and I’m very happy to be getting on his back,” Moreira said.

“Last season, he was running against some really decent horses on the all-weather track. He did get beaten but some of the races it was only by a short margin which means if he can bring the same kind of form, that will be good enough to be very competitive and be the horse to beat.

“I’m quite confident he’s going to be competitive.”

John Size has only four entries at the weekend as the 11-time champion trainer makes a customarily quiet start to the season but he hopes the talented Bundle Of Charm can replicate the form he showed last season when the gelding tackles the Class 3 CMA 88th Anniversary Cup Handicap (1200m) under Alexis Badel.

“He’s been good, he’s shown plenty of ability and he’s got good racing manners so it looks like he’s got a future. He seems to be going well. He’s in good condition. Obviously, he’s had a break and first-up horses can be vulnerable, but I think he’s going to run well,” Size said of the chestnut who posted two wins from three starts in season 2021/22.

“He didn’t have much time off because he didn’t have a long campaign last time, but he’s come up alright. His trial was sound and he’s in pretty good order.”

Five-time champion jockey Zac Purton, who is again leading this season’s championship with four wins from the opening two meetings, combines with David Hayes-trained Lucky With You in the Class 2 Fife Handicap (1000m).

“Looks like there’s good speed, it’s a competitive race. I think the 1000m should suit him because he will probably relax a little bit better. He has got a tendency to want over-race a little bit. He’s not going to do that in this race,” Purton said.

“Hopefully he can finish strong. He had a really good season last season. I think there is a little bit more there, he’s had the benefit of the off-season and, as we know in Hong Kong, that generally helps them develop a little bit.

“I’ve been on his back in the morning, he feels good and there’s no reason why he can’t come back and take another step.” – Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: California Vanes can lead in this race and be hard to run down. He looks the clear stand out and is hard to beat. Telecom Missile can run in a race like this with a safe beginning. He will get back and be running on. Luck Star go on solid previous efforts where form looked okay, chance on best. Viva A La second start and can improve after showing better in a recent trial. Colourful Prince faded late last start, chance to improve under right race shape.

Race 2: Winwin Thirtythree looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. Drawn low for Purton, they look to get the run of the race. Brave Power go on solid previous efforts where form looked okay. He gets back in the running, but will be making a late bid. Aurora Hero change of trainer recently and can improve down in class. Apex Top drops down in grade and start following. Lotus Favorites caught the eye last start running home powerfully. Handsome Guys change of trainer recently and can improve based on his recent good trial. Glorified Fire making Class 5 debut and must be respected after trialling well recently.

Race 3: Quadruple Double has ability and is always dangerous in this grade. With the aid of the 10lb claim, he will give a sight and looks hard to get past. E Brother will be suited by the switch back to AWT. Happy Tango has early speed and can always surprise with the right run. Stand Up showed good improvement last start and appears to be a chance. Chiron remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here from his low draw and prior decent runs into second.

Race 4: G One Excellent change of trainer recently and can improve. From barrier 1, he looks to get the race run to suit and can be hard to beat. Amazing News has ability and should not be underestimated in this grade, a maiden win seems near. Happy Gathering making Class 5 debut and must be respected, he should be a big chance under Purton. Boys Party change of trainer recently can might improve, he will map well from the low draw. El Jefe cannot be ignored at Class 5 level and start following.

Race 5: President’s Choice looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form after going close to winning at the backend of last season. Turquoise Alpha change of trainer recently and can improve but he just needs some luck from barrier 10. Born The Same Day another stable transfer to Ng who looked to be improving towards the end of last season. Kowloon Great looked unlucky when being held up at a crucial stage last start. Oscar Glory never far away from the winner and could sneak a place.

Race 6: Prosecco change of trainer recently and looked good in a recent trial. With Purton in the saddle, he looks primed first-up. Pride Of Eight improving type and getting close to a win after an eye-catching effort last week. Cheery should be highly suited by the drop back in distance and go on his prior good form over this distance. Happy Day had excuses last start and forget the run, but barrier 10 may prove awkward. Win Win last run suggested a win was very near and keep safe.

Race 7: Bundle Of Charm nice four-year-old with a good chance to score back-to-back wins after posting a big win in Class 4 last start. Happy Sharing change of trainer recently and can improve. Star Brite resuming from a break and trialled well recently. He showed goo ability in his two wins last season and could have more to come this term. Ready To Win go on solid previous efforts where form looked okay. Excellent Daddy go on the win two starts ago and give a chance here.

Race 8: Call Me Teddy last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. He will be far better off on this surface and looks well placed to win. Czarson has a chance based on past form in this class of race and must be respected with Purton riding. Super Win Dragon caught wide last start and still ran well. Man Star had excuses last start when racing wide without cover, he can improve coming into a low draw. Everyone’s Victory showed no interest last start, forget the run and consider again. Good chance on best form.

Race 9: Whizz Kid ultra-consistent galloper and who looks hard to beat under the 10lb claim. The query is there are a few other pace influences who could bring each other undone late. Lucky With You talented sprinter who will relish a fast tempo and can finish over the top late under the right race shape. Astrologer more than capable of winning again in this race after showing good ability last season. Alcari old-timer who is racing in good form and can run well.

Race 10: Royal Bomb should be highly suited by the drop back in distance and he looked well in his recent trial. Super Ten overlook last start when he found trouble and give a chance to atone here, coming into a much better draw. Mr Ascendency looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. Handsome Twelve a bit erratic but has a chance after running well in his final start of last season. Dragon Fortune go on the win two starts ago and give a chance here with Purton in the saddle.