Joao Moreira declared Courier Wonder the most talented young horse he has ridden in Hong Kong this season, while David Hayes was similarly effusive about Fantastic Treasure after the exciting duo maintained unbeaten records at Sha Tin on Sunday (11 April).
Asked if Courier Wonder, a son of Sacred Falls and a full brother to Icebath, runner-up in the G1 Doncaster Mile at Randwick Racecourse on Saturday (10 April), was the best youngster he had partnered in the 2020/21 term, Moreira was unambiguous.
“For sure, this season, yes. It’s been a while since I’ve been on top of a nice horse like him. If he keeps on tracking and keeps on learning as he should, he’s going to go far – I can tell you that,” the Brazilian said after winning the Class 3 D’Aguilar Peak Handicap (1200m) on the PPG (Privately Purchased Griffin).
“It was a bit more difficult because of the weight (133lb) on his back and he had the wide gate (eight), so he had to use himself to come across and he did win with something left in hand.
“I did not use the whip on him. I showed him the whip and they were closing up but I think that’s because of the weight.
“He’s a young horse, only a three-year-old. He’s got plenty to learn and I think there’s plenty more to come from him.