It was expected by many that champion Englishman Ryan Moore would be the one to snap at Joao Moreira’s heels in Hong Kong during a winter sojourn, but instead Moreira’s fellow Brazilian and current British titleholder, Silvestre de Sousa, has been the man to provide the opposition.
De Sousa began his contract on January 9, Moore eight days later, and the scorecard for the three jockeys since that date has been Moreira 12 wins from 52 rides, de Sousa 13 from 80 and Moore 8 from 57 rides, with Moreira missing five meetings with injury or suspension.
De Sousa reportedly cannot extend his contract beyond his February 21 finish date for family reasons but the Jockey Club will be doing its utmost to get him back for a longer period in the future.
De Sousa has yet to ride a winner for leading trainer John Size, whose team is on fire at present, but that could change in the second race when they team with Momentum Lucky and he has other great chances on the day with Beauty Love, Cheerful Frames, Run Forrest and Pikachu.
The feature sprint sees Size-trained Amazing Kids back again but he has no easy assignment with top weight and a wide draw against horses like Lucky Bubbles, Key Witness and lightweights Peace N Prosperity and Secret Command.
This Sunday, Glyn and Chad Schofield will be the first father and son to ride against each other when Glyn answers an sos from the Jockey Club which has been stretched for rider numbers on the day due to injuries and suspensions.
Coincidentally, one of Glyn’s rides will be Dancing Flames – the horse that he and trainer Brent Stanley had a hand in selling to Hong Kong owners and which has them both facing charges from stewards in Australia.
By Nathan Mody
