The cream of John Size’s exceptional sprint division were in trial action this morning (Friday November 9) as Hong Kong’s champion trainer broke the news that Joao Moreira will return to Hong Kong to partner Hot King Prawn in next weekend’s BOCHK Jockey Club Sprint (1200m).

Sam Clipperton rode Hot King Prawn for the first time when the exciting grey made it eight wins from nine starts in the Group 2 Premier Bowl (1200m) last month but will be aboard last season’s Centenary Sprint Cup winner D B Pin instead on 18 November as Moreira returns to ride at Sha Tin for the first time since July.

Zac Purton will retain the ride on Size’s Chairman’s Sprint Prize hero Ivictory despite a poor reappearance effort in the Premier Bowl, while Size’s famous five for the Group 2 contest will be completed by Beat The Clock (Silvestre de Sousa) and Premiere (Chad Schofield).

Hot King Prawn caught the eye under considerate handling from Clipperton in a 1200m AWT trial won by Southern Legend this morning, while D B Pin, Ivictory and Premiere finished second, third and fourth behind former stablemate and fellow Jockey Club Sprint contender Mr Stunning in a later trial over 1050m.

Size still has no explanation for Ivictory’s Premier Bowl flop but was satisfied with all his triallists.

“All the horses seem fine and conditions on the day will determine who wins,” he said.

Size didn’t expand on the decision to replace Clipperton with Moreira on Hot King Prawn but confirmed that he and his owners have submitted an application to the HKJC Licensing Committee in the hope of making the Brazilian his new stable jockey.

Meanwhile, Caspar Fownes continues to build towards next month’s LONGINES Hong Kong Mile with Southern Legend, who looked firmly back on track as he eased to the front of his trial under Douglas Whyte.

“He’s very close to where I want him now,” said Fownes.

“He’ll run a big race in next week’s Jockey Club Mile and will be the best he can be when December comes.”