Joao Moreira’s stunning recent form has continued after the Brazilian notched a second treble in four days, further reducing Zac Purton’s lead in the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship at Happy Valley on Wednesday (1 December).
Trailing by nine winners heading into the 24th meeting of the season, Moreira’s treble aboard Super Hong Kong, A Smile Like Yours and Tianchi Monster enabled the reigning champion to claw the deficit back to eight as Purton pocketed a double.
“Any jockey would like to be riding three winners a day,” Moreira smiled. “But it’s just too difficult, especially in Hong Kong where the races are so tight. There isn’t much between the horses racing out there.
“I want to make sure that I keep on doing well. If I want to be competitive, I have to do my job properly and that’s what I’ve been trying to do – ride as well as I can and get on the best horses.”
Moreira combined with three different trainers – John Size, Tony Millard and Chris So – in marking the 11th successive meeting that he has ridden at least one winner.
Bristling with confidence after Sunday’s (28 November) Sha Tin treble, Moreira united with Size to land the Class 4 Hong Kong Golf Club Centenary Cup Handicap (1200) aboard A Smile Like Yours.