De Sousa back in town just in time for Sa Sa Ladies' Purse
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The two-time Group 1 winners Pakistan Star and Time Warp may be overshadowed in Sunday’s Group 3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap at Sha Tin Racecourse by Eagle Way, and his popular jockey, Silvestre de Sousa.
De Sousa, the leading rider in England this year, will be based in Hong Kong on a four-month contract through February. He rides nine of the 10 races on Sunday’s Sha Tin program, the richest of which is the $414,831 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse at about 1 1/8 miles on turf.
De Sousa, 37, was aboard Eagle Way for a six-furlong workout in 1:22.30 on Thursday, including a final quarter-mile in 24.5 seconds, according to Hong Kong publicity.
“He went really nicely,” de Sousa said. “It was just to get a feel of the horse, but he feels focused and in good health.”
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Trained by John Moore, Eagle Way was third to Beauty Generation, the 2017-18 Hong Kong Horse of the Year, in the Group 2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap at a mile on Oct. 21, closing from 10th in the stretch. Eagle Way is winless in his last eight starts, including a third in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup behind Pakistan Star at Sha Tin in April.
Moore said Sunday’s race is a prep for the Group 2 Jockey Club Cup on Nov. 18 and the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase on Dec. 9, which draws an international field.
“The Ladies’ Purse will give him a chance to get some mileage into his legs,” Moore said. “I’m delighted with the progress so far and we’re expecting a big run on the weekend.”
The Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse drew a field of nine. Eagle Way will carry 124 pounds, nine less than topweight Pakistan Star who was fourth in the Sha Tin Trophy after a troubled start. The Sha Tin Trophy was Pakistan Star’s first start since May.
Pakistan Star is trained by Tony Cruz, who also starts Exultant and Time Warp, who will each carry 131 pounds. They were fifth and 14th in the Sha Tin Trophy. Exultant was a Group 3 winner in June. Time Warp is winless in three starts since the Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup at Sha Tin in February.
