Moreira Is Chasing A New Riding Record In Hong Kong

Australian jockey Tommy Berry has been announced as the new rider for Japanese super horse Maurice when he attempts to win back-to-back Yasuda Kinens in Tokyo in early June.

Joao Moreira rode Maurice in the Champions Mile win last start but is required to ride at the Sha Tin meeting on the day of the Yasuda Kinen, so Berry, currently riding in Japan and doing well, has picked up the prized mount.

In other Asian racing news, Group One-winning sprinter Gold-Fun is set to head over to Royal Ascot for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes as Hong Kong’s only representative at the meeting.

Richard Gibson-trained Gold-Fun was fourth in Chautauqua’s Chairman’s Sprint Prize on May 1 and has missed the first four in a race only once in the last two years, most of them Group One events, so Gibson is forecasting a bold showing in England.

Meanwhile jockey Matthew Chadwick looks likely to spend part of the mid-year break riding in Singapore.

Chadwick had to write off most of the current Hong Kong season after serious knee ligament surgery and he is still getting back to his best form.

The planned month-long stint in the Lion City should help him stay fit and get his riding back in order so he can start next season at Sha Tin afresh. There are also reports that star female apprentice Kei Chiong will ride in Australia during the summer and a number of other local Chinese riders will work on their talents in various other parts of the world rather than just holiday.

Moreira’s chase for a new win record is one of the few things to be settled in the Hong Kong season and the Magic Man needs only nine more to match last year’s 145 win haul and has been ahead of the pace for a new mark all season. Most expect him to wind up with well over 160 wins when the last 15 meetings have been run.

The Brazilian has a great book again on Saturday, with likely race favourites in Diego Kosta, People’s Knight and Hit The Bid probably the hardest to beat.

By Nathan Mody

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