JOAO MOREIRA STILL A FIRM FAVOURITE IN HONG KONG

By Darren Winningham | Monday, December 11, 2023

Just twelve months ago Jockey Joao Moreira, once dominant on Hong Kong racing riding scene, stood in front of a packed parade ring at Sha Tin in front of his thousands of loyal fans prior to the running of the first race on LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) race-day and said goodbye to Hong Kong racing.

This year Moreira returned to the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR), one more time, to ride in the Group 1 feature races.

He came in the knowledge that gone are the days when he would be the first pick of owners and trainers to ride their horses. The ‘Magic Man’ no longer casts his supernatural power over Hong Kong racing any more. No more six, seven or eight rides in a day. No more dominating the meetings with five winners ... but ... for all that, what was very noticeable to me at the Sha Tin track on HKIR on Sunday was the connection that remains between the loyal Hong Kong racing fans and Joao Moreira.

They love him!

Prior to the third race on the big day, he was legged aboard the Casper Fownes trained Capital Delight.

The crowd applauded as he paraded past them in the parade ring, showing their acclamation of his presence with cheering, loud applause and the calling out of “Joao” was heartening.

Moreira who has held so many records in Hong Kong over recent years showed his appreciation by touching his heart several times and acknowledging the crowd with a consistent wave.

When the LONGINES HKIR Vase was run he was legged up onto the Japanese trained Lebensstil, who was sent out favourite.

As is customary the horses are led onto the track and nearly down to the 150-metre mark and then they gallop off to the start. This was the first time the “Magic Man” was really on display to the greater section of the 65,000 strong Hong Kong fans out in the public areas.

Again, the crowd went off seeing their previous Hong Kong idol back on the track. The thunderous applause was instantaneous as he passed me at the winning post. The noise and cheers just got louder as he went down the lengthy Sha Tin straight to the barriers.

Whilst he is not riding regularly in Hong Kong, the respect in which he is held is not diminished and the gratitude for Moreira’s contribution to Hong Kong racing’s history is firmly intact.

The loyal fans of Hong Kong and the international visitors and media salute you Joao Moreira for the entertainment you continue to provide on the international racing scene.

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