Joao Moreira and Caspar Fownes launched their three-month partnership in flying form with a four-timer at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.
The decision for Moreira to join Fownes as the stable’s retained rider for the rest of the season was vindicated with wins from Decision Link, Golden Brilliant, Sky Cap and Perfect General.
Moreira is thrilled to be back riding winners in familiar territory where he enjoyed enormous success for almost a decade before leaving at the end of 2022.
“Dream night. It’s nice to get a few wins on the board, Caspar said he was going to have a few horses ready to run well on this meeting and he’s done an amazing job,” Moreira said.
“I just finished it off. He’s done everything and gave me nice horses. When you as a rider are riding nice horses, your life is much easier. It feels like people are warming up to having me back, I feel it, and I’m very pleased and proud.”
Fownes’ move to bring Moreira back for the final three months of the season paid early dividends, with the handler drawing level at the top of the trainers’ championship alongside Mark Newnham on 47 winners a piece.
“I guess that’s the reason Caspar has been asking me for so long to come back and give him some help. It worked out pretty good – I was supposed to come back earlier in the season but it didn’t work out, but I’ve come back to a crossed line where the championship is really on fire,” Moreira said.
“Caspar is probably having the best shot by having me on the team to back him up. That’s why I’m here, to support him and hopefully to get the best results.”
Moreira kicked off the night by guiding Decision Link to his first career win in Hong Kong in the Class Five Cochrane Handicap (1,200m). The four-year-old was able to slot in beautifully around the first bend from gate 12 before powering home.
“Apparently this horse was very much rated to win his next race. I had to make a tough call from the widest gate, but sometimes good horses have to make it happen and this is a very good example. I’m very pleased to start off this way and this horse is no doubt going to have a place in my heart,” Moreira said.
Fownes was thrilled with Moreira’s super steer from the wide gate. “It’s a wonderful way to start the partnership,” Fownes said.
“What a ride. He’s got it one off the fence from gate 12 and it was a beautiful ride. It certainly got us yelling – it was nice to see him finish off like that.”
Moreira went on to give Golden Brilliant a second consecutive win when taking out the first section of the Class Four D’Aguilar Handicap (1,650m). Sustaining a run from the 500m mark, the Sweynesse galloper ran down Mighty Steed to salute by three-quarters of a length.
The Brazilian jockey dictated terms from the start on Sky Cap to also make it back-to-back wins in the second section of the Class Four Wyndham Handicap (1,200m), putting a gap on his rivals before the bend and staying on to hold off Gameplayer Elite by half a length.
Moreira’s fourth victory came aboard Perfect General with an all-the-way win in the first section of the Class Three On Lan Handicap (1,200m) that was set up by a slowly-run first two sections. The Zoustar galloper sprinted from the 400m mark to score easily from Thriving Brother by one and a half lengths.
Elsewhere on Wednesday night, Angus Chung Yik-lai returned to his Happy Valley best after six weeks without a winner at the city circuit to secure a running double early with General Redwood for Danny Shum Chap-shing and Tycoon Resources for Tony Cruz.
“It’s been a tough time, so happy for the double. I try my best – it’s been a difficult run – but it’s nice to get two winners,” Chung said.
Tycoon Resources was an impressive debut winner for Cruz in the Class Four Graham Handicap (1,000m), overhauling fellow first-starter Beauty Show by half a length.
“It was his debut run tonight and he won very well, I think he’s a horse that’s got some ability. He traveled here very well, everything was very good – I think he’s got a good future,” Cruz said.
General Redwood was brown-lamped from $32 into $10 and went on to claim the second section of the Class Four D’Aguilar Handicap.
Hugh Bowman also went on to clinch a brace with Silvery Breeze for David Eustace and Sight Hermoso for John Size.
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