Joao Moreira made a triumphant return to Hong Kong racing on Wednesday night (8 April), scoring an impressive four-timer for long-time partner Caspar Fownes at Happy Valley. The dazzling display not only reaffirmed Moreira’s status as the city’s premier jockey but also intensified the battle for the 2025/26 trainers’ championship.
Taking nine rides for Fownes, Moreira claimed victories aboard Decision Link, Golden Brilliant, Sky Cap, and Perfect General, while also finishing second once. His extraordinary night narrowed the gap in the trainers’ title race, with Fownes now on 47 wins alongside Australian counterpart Mark Newnham, trailing only on minor placings.
“Dream night. Caspar said he had a few horses ready to run well, and he’s done an amazing job,” Moreira said. “I just finished it off. When you’re riding nice horses, life as a jockey is much easier.”
Moreira’s Winning Spree
Moreira’s evening began with Decision Link (132lb), powering home from gate 12 to land the Class 5 Cochrane Handicap (1200m). He then rode Golden Brilliant (125lb) to victory in the first section of the Class 4 D’Aguilar Handicap (1650m), before leading all the way on Sky Cap (133lb) in the second section of the Class 4 Wyndham Handicap (1200m).
A narrow second to Hugh Bowman’s Silvery Breeze (135lb) in the Class 3 Glenealy Handicap (1650m) did little to dampen the Brazilian’s momentum. He rounded off his quartet with Perfect General (128lb), a Hong Kong International Sale graduate, in the first section of the Class 3 On Lan Handicap (1200m).
“It’s fantastic to be back in the winning circle. Being tied to a stable is different, but I feel the support and I’m very proud to be here,” Moreira added.
Context and Championship Stakes
A four-time Hong Kong jockeys’ champion, Moreira’s return is seen as a major boost to Fownes’ quest for a fifth trainers’ championship. “Caspar has been asking me to come back for some time, and it worked out perfectly. The championship is really heating up now,” Moreira said. Fownes praised his star jockey: “What a ride on Decision Link from gate 12. It was beautiful and certainly got us all excited.”
Other highlights of the evening included a double by Angus Chung, riding General Redwood (123lb) and Tycoon Resources (125lb) to victory, while Zac Purton edged closer to a century of wins this season with Smart Fighter (125lb) in the Class 4 Sports Club Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup Handicap (1200m). Hugh Bowman also sealed a double aboard John Size-trained Sight Hermoso in the second section of the Class 3 On Lan Handicap (1200m).
Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday (12 April).
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