Joao Moreira is expected to be the big attraction at several of the Brisbane winter carnival
Hong Kong based superstar jockey Joao Moreira is expected to be the big attraction at several of the Brisbane winter carnival race days.
The Brisbane Race Club hopes Moreira, regarded by many as the best jockey in the world, will be available for all five of its feature race meetings.
BRC racing manager Bart Sinclair said Moreira had been approached to ride at the Doomben 10,000, Doomben Cup, Kingsford Smith Cup, Queensland Oaks, and Stradbroke Handicap -Derby days.
“It all comes down to whether Hong Kong officials will give him a clearance for all five days. But we are hoping to get him for as many as possible,” Sinclair said.
“We have been in contact with Jo’s manager about possible rides.”
Moreira is a regular visitor to Australia and won last month’s Group One Oakleigh Plate on Sheidel.
On the track the BRC is continuing to chase some interstate stars for the carnival.
Perth Group One winner Scales of Justice is one horse the BRC is keen to attract.
Scales of Justice, who won the Group On Railway Stakes in Perth during the summer, is part-owned by Brisbane’s Bill Andrews.
“We have spoken with Bill and he is keen for Scales of Justice to come but he has yet to hear from the trainer if it is too soon,” Sinclair said.
Newcastle mare In Her Time, a dual Group Two winner of the recent Breeders’ Classic and Millie Fox Stakes in Sydney has been confirmed as a Brisbane carnival runner.
The Benjamin Smith-trained mare also ran a creditable fifth in the Group One Coolmore Classic won by Heaven’s Above.
