‘Failure’ Moreira expected to race in Hong Kong
Magic Man’ Joao Moreira looks set to make a sensational return to Hong Kong following his failure to secure a full-time Japan Racing Association licence.
Moreira, a three-time champion jockey in Hong Kong, had intended to start a new chapter of his career in Japan. Those plans, however, were scuppered after he failed a test on the history of Japanese racing, rendering him unable to ride in the country once his current short-term licence expires this year.
Moreira now looks poised to complete a return to Hong Kong after 10-time champion trainer John Size stated his intention to enter an application for him to become his new stable jockey.
Responding to reports of a possible collaboration, Size told the South China Morning Post: "That's our intention, but the application hasn’t gone in yet. There’s a facility here where a trainer can apply for a retained rider, so there’s an opportunity there for that at the moment.
"If the Jockey Club looks on it favourably we’ll take the next step, but the timing is a little unclear at present. I have started to talk to some owners and I haven't come up with much resistance so far."
Moreira will ride in Japan until going to Australia for the Melbourne Cup on 6 November.
The excitement surrounding Moreira's potential return will have done little to comfort Size on Monday after his Hong Kong Derby Winner Ping Hai Star was ruled out for the rest of the season.
"He got an injury this morning. It looks suspensory," Size told the SCMP. "To me, it looks like he’ll have a prolonged spell out but we’ll find out more as time goes on."
Ping Hai Star, was being primed for a tilt at the Hong Kong Cup in December.