The jockey destined to keep rewriting Singapore racing’s record books has landed a ride in Australia’s final Group One race of the year.
Brazilian maestro Joao Moreira, best known in Australia for his fly-in, fly-out missions to ride for Nathan Tinkler, has secured the mount on Fuddle Dee Duddle in the Kingston Town Classic at Ascot on Saturday week.
Confirmation on Monday of his booking for the three-year-old filly came less than 24 hours after he rode his 200th winner for the Singapore racing season.
Fuddle Dee Duddle is a $12 chance for the Kingston Town after making late ground to finish fourth to Academus in Saturday’s WA Guineas.
Under the weight-for-age scale of the race, Fuddle De Duddle will carry 50kg.
Moreira reached the 200-win milestone at Kranji after setting a record of 153 winners in 2011.
“Halfway through the year I didn’t think that I would get there but over the past few weeks I thought it was a chance and I decided to push for it,” Moreira told the Singapore Turf Club website.
Moreira made a name for himself in Western Australia during a cameo appearance in a 2010 international jockeys’ challenge.
He collected $20,000 for his efforts, leading home a field which included Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Gerald Mosse, fellow French rider Olivier Doleuze, South African Robbie Fradd and Ireland’s John Egan.
His Singapore exploits attracted the attention of Tinkler’s private trainer John Thompson who brought Moreira to Australia to ride with success on Patinack Farm stars such as Trusting, Hussuosa and No Evidence Needed.
