16/1/2022
Joao Moreira flush with Hong Kong Classic Mile options after Sha Tin four-timer (Update)
By Leo Schlink
Triumphant after a Sha Tin quartet on Sunday (16 January), Joao Moreira will deliberate overnight before deciding which of the several leading contenders he will ride in the HK$12 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) on Sunday, 30 January.
Boosting his lead in the jockeys¡¦ championship over arch-rival Zac Purton to 10 ¡V 62-52 ¡V Moreira has the choice of a talented handful of Hong Kong Classic Mile aspirants, including this afternoon¡¦s winners Romantic Warrior and Sight Spirit as well as Master Delight.
Moreira was non-commital on which way he was leaning towards for the first leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, but he was clearly taken with the victories of both Danny Shum¡¦s Romantic Warrior, who is unbeaten in four starts, and John Size¡¦s Sight Spirit.
¡§It¡¦s a very nice position to be in. I will by tomorrow make the decision because I don¡¦t think the connections will like to be kept waiting. Today¡¦s meeting is going to give us a very good guide to the possible winner of the Hong Kong Classic Mile ¡V I know the Hong Kong Derby is different, but the first leg the winner might be on today¡¦s meeting,¡¨ the Brazilian said after clinching his four-timer aboard Hong Kong International Sale graduate Romantic Warrior in the Class 3 Hoi Lai Handicap (1400m).
¡§Romantic Warrior showed me that he has so much quality and ability that I was confident going into the race today, but now we have to think about what is next because of what has to be called an impressive win.¡¨
The Magic Man was equally taken with Sight Spirit, runaway winner of the Class 3 Lai Kok Handicap (1600m) who will proceed to the Hong Kong Classic Mile.
¡§I was asked before the race if this horse should be considered for the Classic Series and I kind of indicated that because the more ground he steps to, he was going to appreciate it even more and he showed that (with the win),¡¨ Moreira said.
¡§He did win with a lot of authority ¡V a very easy win ¡V and he feels that if he steps up to even more ground, he will appreciate that even more. So, it¡¦s very nice to be riding these kinds of horses.¡¨
Zac Purton, who logged a double for the day, is committed to Danny Shum¡¦s Packing Victory but was effusive in his praise of Tony Cruz¡¦s California Spangle, who dominated the Class 2 Chak On Handicap (1200m) to forge into Hong Kong Classic Mile calculations.
¡§He¡¦s a special horse. He¡¦s got the action and I think he¡¦s got the pedigree to be able to run a mile, but whether he can jump straight from 1200 metres to 1600 metres, that¡¦s the question mark,¡¨ the Australian said.
¡§The other horses have already had their runs at 1400m and 1600m. First time out at 1600m, he might be a little bit vulnerable. I think he¡¦s a really exciting horse ¡V I really like him.¡¨
The final three races of the meeting served as an appetiser to the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, which also features the HK$12 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) on 27 February and the HK$24 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on 20 March.
On Sunday¡¦s undercard, Caspar Fownes notched his fourth victory for the month when The Hulk stormed from last at the turn to win the Class 3 Cheung Sha Wan Handicap (1200m) under Karis Teetan to give the reigning champion trainer an early double.
Formerly known as Spirits Aubeer when a three-time winner in New Zealand for Nigel Tiley, The Hulk improved his Hong Kong record to three victories and five placings from 33 starts.
Teetan sealed a brace when Romantic Combo surged late to clinch the Class 3 Nam Shan Handicap (1800m, dirt) for Danny Shum after Moreira opened his account in emphatic style when Fownes-trained El Valiente cruised to victory in the Class 5 Un Chau Handicap (1650m, dirt).
Purton prevailed aboard Francis Lui¡¦s Golden Empire in the Class 4 Pak Tin Handicap (1200m). Lui believes the Hong Kong International Sale graduate will improve with racing.
¡§He¡¦s a nice horse, he did a good job today. Zac thinks he will get better as he gets older and he might be 1400 metres next season,¡¨ Lui said.
Moreira registered his 60th victory of the campaign when Frankie Lor¡¦s En Pointe stamped his authority on the Class 4 Shek Kip Mei Handicap (1400m). Lor, who leads the trainers¡¦ championship with 38 wins, believes the Hallowed Crown gelding will ultimately be suited over longer trips.
¡§I think he¡¦s a nice horse. He was good over 1400 metres today after two runs at 1200m. I think he will get a mile in the future,¡¨ Lor said.
Paul O¡¦Sullivan and Vincent Ho broke new ground when Apache Pass upstaged his rivals in the Class 4 Tai Hang Tung Handicap (1650m, dirt), providing the combination with their first victory together.
¡§Vincent hasn¡¦t had many rides for me, but he rides well, doesn¡¦t he?¡¨ O¡¦Sullivan said.
¡§This horse reacts well on the surface and he taken a while to build fitness and he came up with a good draw (barrier four) and I thought if he ran up to his Conghua trial, he would be competitive.
¡§The biggest problem he¡¦s faced here is that he was trained in Australia left-handed and he¡¦s really struggled to go right-handed. He¡¦s getting a little bit better all the time, but that could be a limiting factor here in the short and medium term.¡¨
Claiming his 14th winner of the term, Vagner Borges piloted Cordyceps Two to upset victory in the Class 4 So Uk Handicap (1600m) as the Brazilian continued a productive season.
¡§I¡¦m working hard and it¡¦s paying off,¡¨ Borges said. ¡§I love riding in Hong Kong and the horse did a good job to win.¡¨ Unplaced in six previous starts, Cordyceps Two saluted at 31-1 for Dennis Yip.
Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday (19 January).
Photo 1
Clinching a quartet, Joao Moreira pilots Romantic Warrior to victory.
Photo 2
En Pointe wins under Moreira.
