Joao Moreira fires in quartet on Hong Kong return for Caspar Fownes

By Leo Schlink

Completing a triumphant return to Hong Kong racing with a superb four-timer at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (8 April), Joao Moreira reunited with long-time ally Caspar Fownes in brilliant fashion as the battle for the 2025/26 trainers’ championship intensified.

Taking nine rides for Fownes, Moreira finished the evening with four wins and a second as Fownes erased Mark Newnham’s four-win lead in the championship to join the Australian horseman on 47 wins, and trail only by virtue of minor placings with 31 second placings to Newnham’s 36.

“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 (Fownes) done everything and given me nice horses. When you, as a rider, are riding nice horses, your life is much easier.”

Starting his role as the Fownes’ stable retained jockey in supreme style, Moreira struck with Decision Link, Golden Brilliant, Sky Cap and Perfect General to thrust Fownes closer to a fifth trainers’ championship.

The Brazilian’s spree began with Decision Link’s (132lb) powerful finish to land the Class 5 Cochrane Handicap (1200m) after jumping from gate 12. Later, he scored aboard Golden Brilliant (125lb) 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).

Narrowly denied by Hugh Bowman’s calculated patience aboard David Eustace’s Silvery Breeze (135lb) to land the Class 3 Glenealy Handicap (1650m) by a head over Moreira’s Sky Vino (127lb), the ‘Magic Man’ completed his quartet when Hong Kong International Sale graduate Perfect General (128lb) clinched the first section of the Class 3 On Lan Handicap (1200m).

“It’s fantastic. I’m so happy and glad to be back, especially in the winning circle,” the South American said. “It’s a pleasure to be back – I’m so pleased and proud to back.

“I've got to be clear, it's a bit different now because I'm in a different position (retained stable jockey) because I'm tied into a stable. It feels like people are warming up to having me back, I feel it, and I'm very pleased and proud.”

Winner of four Hong Kong jockeys’ championships – in 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2020/21 – Moreira believes he can enhance Fownes’ hopes of landing a fifth trainers’ championship.

“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.”

Fownes lauded Moreira’s ride on Decision Link: “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. It's a wonderful way to start the partnership.”

Angus Chung slotted a double, successfully combining with Danny Shum’s General Redwood (123lb) to land the second section of the Class 4 D’Aguilar Handicap (1650m) and Tony Cruz’s Tycoon Resources (125lb) in the Class 4 Graham Handicap (1000m).

A half brother to dual Australian Group 1 winner Hungry Heart, Tycoon Resources provided Chung with his first double since February.

“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, while Cruz believes Tycoon Resources has a bright future.

“It was his debut run tonight and he won very well. I think he's a horse that's got some ability. He travelled here very good, everything was very good,” Cruz said. “I think he's got a good future.”

Zac Purton edged closer to another century of winners in a season when Ricky Yiu’s Smart Fighter (125lb) gave the eight-time Hong Kong champion jockey his 95th of the campaign with success in the Class 4 Sports Club Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup Handicap (1200m).

Bowman regained second spot in the jockeys’ championship by sealing a double aboard John Size-trained Sight Hermoso in the second section of the Class 3 On Lan Handicap (1200m), taking his tally to 47 wins for the season – two more than Andrea Atzeni.

Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday (12 April).