Joao Moreira is looking to complete a full sweep of Hong Kong’s top-level races when the Brazilian rider links with overseas contender Deep Monster in the HK$13 million G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) on 24 May at Sha Tin.
Hong Kong stages 12 Group 1 races every season and Moreira has won them all except for the Triple Crown’s finale. This year, he’s up against the might of Romantic Warrior, who is bidding to become the third conqueror of the three-race challenge after River Verdon (1993/94) and Voyage Bubble last season.
“It’s a shame that I haven’t won this race, but I’m glad that I am still giving myself a chance to maybe tick that box,” Moreira said. “I’ve only seen (Deep Monster’s) replays. He’s a last-start winner in the Middle East. The race is very strong; however, I’m hoping he runs well.”
Moreira is a four-time Hong Kong Champion Jockey (2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17 & 2020/21) with 1,250 wins in the city. The 42-year-old, who is currently on a short-term contract attached to Caspar Fownes’ stable, partners dual Group 2 winner Deep Monster for the first time against eight possible rivals in Sunday week’s stamina test.
Cap Ferrat, Gentlemen Legacy, Ka Ying Generation, Numbers, Romantic Thor, Rousham Park and Winning Wing are also among the entries. Deep Monster, who arrives from Osaka on Friday (15 May), landed the G2 H.H. The Amir Trophy (2400m) in February while, three runs back, the eight-year-old captured the G2 Kyoto Daishoten (2400m).
Known for partnerships with Hong Kong champions Able Friend, Designs On Rome, Rapper Dragon and Beat The Clock, Moreira has eight wins since April. He takes six rides at Happy Valley on Wednesday (13 May): Blasted Talent, Noble Pursuit, Flying Luck, Jumbo Blessing, Somelovefromabove and Lo Rider.
Following his 1,990th Hong Kong victory last Saturday (9 May), Zac Purton is closing in on becoming the first to ride 2,000 career wins in the city. The Australian Racing Hall of Famer has seven chances tomorrow, including Aurio (133lb) in the Class 3 Deauville Handicap (1200m) for trainer Manfred Man.
“He just needs a speed to suit. He can be a little bit tricky in the gates, but he’s been good recently. I thought he probably could have hit the line a little better than he did last time. Maybe the big weight in this class is anchoring him down a little bit,” Purton said.
Purton is atop last-start second Romantic Gladiator (120lb) in the Class 3 French May Trophy Handicap (1650m) for trainer Danny Shum, who saddles seven runners as he trails championship-leading Mark Newnham by one win.
Purton said: “He seems to have come to hand quick enough and last time he showed that he’s getting the hang of things. He’s a horse that is showing he’s ready to do something properly now.”
Eight wins separate first and sixth in the standings: Newnham (52 wins), Fownes (51), Shum (51), David Hayes (48), Francis Lui (46) and John Size (44).
The Class 2 ParisLongchamp Handicap (1650m) sees Silvery Breeze (120lb) chase consecutive triumphs for trainer David Eustace, who said: “He’s been remarkably consistent all season. Everything worked out perfectly (last start) – he had a good draw and he was able to follow the leader at not an overly strong tempo.”
Wednesday’s (13 May) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley – the 71st of 88 scheduled for this season – begins at 6.40pm with the Class 5 Maisons-Laffitte Handicap (1650m).
