Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Laurie Laxon is adamant Brazilian jockey Joao Moreira will leave his mark on Sydney racing during a cameo appearance on Saturday.
Singapore-based Moreira has answered a left-field SOS call from Patinack Farm trainer John Thompson to ride four horses for the stable at Randwick’s Chelmsford Stakes meeting.
“He’s as good as anyone I have seen,” Laxon told the Singapore Turf Club’s website.
“I have been associated with some very good jockeys over the years and I’ve had some input into the career of (New Zealand sensation) James McDonald.
“But this fellow is extremely good. He gets horses to run for him and he seems to make all the right decisions.”
Moreira has taken Singapore racing by storm and on Sunday he notched his 100th winner there for the second consecutive season.
Of Moreira’s 100 victories so far in 2011, Laxon, a six-time premiership winner in Singapore, has saddled up 14 for star jockey.
So impressive has been Moreira’s form, he leads the Singapore premiership by 41 wins over Vlad Duric after trailing his Australian rival at the start of June.
Patinack Farm racing manager Robyn Hartney confirmed Moreira will ride Trusting (Chelmsford Stakes), Pane In The Glass (Furious Stakes), Gathering (Tramway Handicap) and Run For Wilson (Ming Dynasty Handicap).
“With Craig Williams staying in Melbourne it was hard for us to get one (local) jockey for all four races,” she said.
“But from what I’ve seen, Joao is going to be a great replacement.”
Moreira has already given Australia a glimpse of his talents when he won the International Jockey Challenge during last year’s Perth summer carnival.
AAP TURF
