Cruz galloper set for a Winning Ovation in Premier Cup
RACING in Hong Kong is back in action at Sha Tin on Sunday, with an 11-race programme featuring a couple of Group Three contests.
Umbrellas’ have once again been to the fore in the city, with both 70 millimetres of rain falling in the Sha Tin area during the week and over 3000 lightning strikes recorded in Hong Kong on Thursday.
Luckily, the rain and thunderstorms are likely to have passed over, out into the South China Sea before the action starts.
Although conditions are likely to ride perfectly, it will still be no easy ask for bettors finding winners with the long and arduous season coming to an end next month, with just eight meetings remaining.
Although the season may be starting to wind down for many in the city, there is still no doubting the hunger and desire on display from former four-time champion jockey Joao Moreira, who continues to ride at the top of his game.
Seven winners at the last four meetings are testament to that fact, especially with the Magic Man desperate to help secure another trainers’ championship title for his friend and ally, trainer Caspar Fownes.
The partnership team up seven times on the programme, but it is Moreira’s outside rides that really catch the eye.
The Brazilian has been booked to ride the Tony Cruz-trained progressive galloper WINNING OVATION, in the seven-furlong Group Three Premier Cup Handicap over seven furlongs (12.05pm) and looks to have everything in his favour.
The four-year-old found the step up to a mile his undoing when finishing a close-up fifth in the Group Three Lion Rock Trophy last month, and now reverting to his favourite distance which he has won over four times is a major plus.
Moreira also climbs aboard another Cruz galloper BEAUTY JOY in the nine-furlong Group Three Premier Plate Handicap (1.15pm) over nine furlongs.
This tough old campaigner won this race from an eight-pound higher mark last season and warmed up for this event when beaten a whisker by Light Years Charm over a mile recently.
With an inside gate allowing him to sit closer to the early pace from the off, he should take plenty of beating.