Top Singapore jockey Joao Moreira will no longer be making the trip to partner Fuddle Dee Duddle in the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic at Ascot next Saturday.
Moreira was forced to cancel his impending trip to Perth in order to fulfil his existing commitment to partner Super Easy in the Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin on December 9.
Fuddle Dee Duddle’s part owner, Eddie Rigg, is now searching for an alternative for the three-year-old filly.
“He (Moreira) was keen to come and we started making arrangements on Monday,” Rigg said.
“But he has to ride at Hong Kong the day after the Kingston Town.
“It’s disappointing but we’ll work through it and find another jockey.”
Paul Harvey, who rode Fuddle Dee Duddle in her past three race starts, is unable to make the 50 kilogram weight assigned to the filly in the Kingston Town Stakes.
Rigg, along with trainer Lindsey Smith, will now have to search for a lightweight jockey for the $1 million race.
The team will be looking interstate to find a quality jockey willing to make the trip west that fits the agenda.
Fuddle Dee Duddle won the Group 3 Champion Fillies Stakes at Ascot two starts back before placing fourth in the Group 2 WA Guineas last start.
The filly came from last to demonstrate her usual finishing burst in the 1,600 metre race.
The Red Ransom filly has won four of her 15 race starts and has earned more than $315,000 in prize money during her horse racing career.
While Fuddle Dee Duddle’s camp is still chasing a jockey for the race, fellow runner Pop Culture is ready and waiting to contend the Kingston Town Stakes.
A last start winner in the Ascot Gold Cup on November 10, the four-year-old will go into next Saturday’s race on the back of a four week break.
Trainer Colin Webster feels the mare will be at her best for the Group 1 race.
“She worked beautifully and I’m very happy with her progress,” Webster said.
“She’s relished the ease-off from racing but has still done plenty of work.”
Pop Culture has won six of her 15 race starts and has accumulated close to $400,000 in prize earnings.
