Moreira back full time at Happy Valley

This has been a tumultuous year for the Brazilian jockey Joao Moriera.

A native of Brazil, Moreira announced he was relocating from Hong Kong to Japan in the spring, and then lost his Hong Kong riding title to Zac Purton in the summer. Earlier this fall, Moreira learned he did not gain a full-time license to ride in Japan after failing a written exam required of foreign jockeys.

Moreira is back in Hong Kong on a full-time basis, thanks to a sponsorship from leading trainer John Size. On Sunday at Sha Tin Racecourse Moreira and Size teamed on two winners. This Wednesday at Happy Valley Racecourse, Moreira has six mounts, four on horses trained by Size.

The program ends with the $176,642 Sea Eagle Handicap at about a mile and 50 yards. By then, Moreira, a fan favorite in Hong Kong, could easily have a few wins before he climbs aboard Har Har Heart for Size, who through Sunday was third in the trainer’s standings.

Har Har Heart, a 5-year-old Australian-bred gelding, won for the first time at the current Hong Kong season in a minor handicap at about a mile and 50 yards at Happy Valley on Nov. 21 when ridden by Silvestre de Sousa.

Har Har Heart, who will carry 123 pounds, is one of four starters in a field of 12 in the Sky Eagle Handicap with a win in their last starts, along with Sky Melody, Gold Land, and Lookin Good.

Sky Melody, who has been assigned 128 pounds, won a handicap at about a mile and 50 yards at Happy Valley on Sept. 5, but was scratched from a race at Happy Valley on Oct. 3 when found to be lame in his right foreleg. Sky Melody was approved to resume activity in November. Leading rider Zac Purton has the mount.

Gold Land, who will be ridden by de Sousa, won a lower-class race at Happy Valley on Nov. 21, and has not won at this level in more than a year. Gold Land, who will carry 118 pounds, is trained by Tony Cruz, who leads the standings.

Lookin Good, assigned 116 pounds, is also taking a jump in class after a recent win in a lesser handicap. Lookin Good is trained by Frankie Lor, who won two Group 1 races on the Sha Tin program Sunday.