Horse Racing
Season
Moreira seeks Magnificent return

By Declan Schuster
03/03/2020 15:47

Joao Moreira returns from suspension this Wednesday.
Joao Moreira returns from suspension this Wednesday.

Joao Moreira is looking to regain some breathing space in the race for the jockeys’ championship this Wednesday (4 March) at Happy Valley as he returns from a two-meeting suspension with a full book of eight rides.

Moreira, has seen his margin at the top reduced to seven wins after reigning champion jockey Zac Purton hit back during the Brazilian’s absence with five wins from 19 rides.

Moreira, however, is taking his season one week at a time, hungry for winners while focusing little on the prospect of a fourth title as he bids to hold top spot till season’s end (15 July). 

“I try not to think too much about it even if I do but all I have to keep thinking about is how I can keep on winning races and so far this season I’ve been getting good support and getting on nice horses,” Moreira said.

Both dual three-time champion jockeys, the dominant pair have stretched clear of the pack as the mid-point of the season passes. Moreira leads with 81 wins, Purton sits second with 74 wins, while Karis Teetan ranks third on 45.

“I think I will be able to keep on ticking along with winners here and there and it’s very hard to say now whether it will be enough to win the championship but what I can say is I am trying my best, knowing that I have tough competition Zac (Purton) is a very good jockey – he’s very intelligent and he does his homework very well which inspires me to also do my very best,” Moreira said.

Moreira is searching for his fourth title after taking home three consecutive championships from 2014/15 to 2016/17, amassing 483 wins in that time while setting a single-season record of 170 wins. He relinquished the title to Purton in 2017/18 and the Australian went back-to-back with 304 wins across those two seasons.

Moreira has eight chances on Wednesday’s card including a horse familiar to Purton, the Peter Ho-trained Magnificent (131lb) who tackles the second section of the Class 3 San Po Kong Handicap (1650m).

“He seems alright – fortunately he drew a good gate. I have only galloped him once but he seems nice, he feels well and he’s healthy,” Moreira said.

Magnificent cruises to a comfortable win.

Purton won on the horse three starts ago, but will be aboard The Hulk (133lb) for trainer Caspar Fownes in Wednesday’s contest.
“There are a few other horses in the race we have to respect – coming down in class but I know that if my bloke performs at his best – he is definitely a winning chance,” Moreira said.

A two-time winner, the Peter Ho-trained galloper will break from gate two as he looks to recapture his best. 

Earlier, Moreira will team up with main ally John Size aboard Super Alliances in the Class 4 To Kwa Wan Handicap (1200m). The pair already have 17 wins together this term including three at G1 level – two with champion sprinter Beat The Clock and one with Waikuku. Last season they combined for 59 wins together.

While Super Alliances hasn’t quite scaled those heights, he’s still been pleasing the 36-year-old as he looks to shed his maiden tag in Wednesday’s test.

“He’s one of those that (John) Size has in his stable that is an improving type, he’s far off being at his best in regard to his rating and his last,” Moreira said.

Joao Moreira and John Size have formed a strong combination.
Joao Moreira and John Size have formed a strong combination.

The Zacinto gelding has raced five times and finished runner-up in his last two races but his campaign stalled a month ago when he was found to be lame after Moreira raised concerns with his action pre-race.

“He was scratched last start because of a health issue but I’m sure John (Size) has got him right at this time. He’s a nice young horse with a bright future ahead of him,” Moreira said.

Size said: “He seems ok, he’s been ok for us at home – I can’t find anything amiss with him. He’s certainly capable of winning in Class 4, he’s got a very awkward draw for a horse with speed – he’s drawn barrier 12 so it’ll be difficult for him from there but you never know.”

Jolly for Van Niekerk

Grant van Niekerk sits fifth in the jockeys’ championship.
Grant van Niekerk sits fifth in the jockeys’ championship.

Also returning from suspension is Grant van Niekerk, the 28-year-old was outed for two days but is looking to get rolling again with a full book of rides at Happy Valley this Wednesday (4 March).

Now in his second term, the South African enjoyed a stellar 2018/19 by securing 31 wins, a score he is on track to eclipse with 31 wins already next to his name this season.

“It’s not very nice because I missed out on a Class 1 win – obviously in Hong Kong you always want to be riding, you don’t want to be missing meetings but I suppose though it’s inevitable. It’s going to happen and it’s very strict in the boardroom,” Van Niekerk said.

Among his haul this term is the G2 Premier Bowl on Seasons Bloom and G3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy (1000m) on Big Party, his second and third at Pattern level in Hong Kong, while he was also a head off securing his first G1 in Hong Kong when Thanks Forever narrowly missed in January’s Centenary Sprint Cup.

“Racing here is quick – you’re always trying to get the best position so occasionally you are going to find a bit of trouble every now and then, I just have to make sure it doesn’t happen as often and going forward I’m ensuring I do my best to stay out of the boardroom.”

Wednesday’s card sees Van Niekerk return with eight chances, including Takingufurther in the Class 3 Kowloon City Handicap (1200m).

“It was a nice win last start – this is a little bit more of a competitive field, I have plenty of respect for This Is Class who I think is quite a good horse – so I have to try and beat him,” Van Niekerk said.

Takingufurther rolls to an easy all-the-way win.

 “He’s a horse that if he goes forward he gives his best, he much prefers to be there,” the South African said.

Van Niekerk also combines with Me Tsui for two rides; the pair have been a formidable combination this season teaming up for six wins, one of those wins coming with Jolly Honour, who contests the second section of the Class 3 San Po Kong Handicap (1650m).

“He’s a bit of a cheeky horse to ride – I sort of have to go a little early on him because he gets going but he doesn’t really turn it on as you’d want him to,” Van Niekerk said.

“I think last time I went a touch too soon so they caught me at the end, I’ll just be a little bit more patient and ride the race as it goes.”

The duo also link up with Victory For All in the Class 4 To Kwa Wan Handicap (1200m). The son of Holy Roman Emperor surprised when he flashed home at 89/1 from the tail of the field last start over this course and distance to finish third, beaten by half a length.

“I had no confidence going into the race but Me Tsui mentioned that he was working well, I just gave him a chance from that draw and he finished his race off really well, I don’t really want to change much with him into his next run – I’ll just give him a chance and hopefully he can do the same,” Van Niekerk said.

The gelding will step out from gate seven for Van Niekerk against 11 rivals.

“He can be a bit closer this time without having to chase as much from the good draw but as long as he switches off, I’m sure he’ll give me a good finish,” he said.

Wednesday’s eight-race card at Happy Valley commences at 7.15pm with the Class 5 Ma Tau Wai Handicap (1000m).