Hong Kong’s leading jockey Joao Moreira won’t be making the trip to Melbourne on Saturday to ride in the Group 1 $3m Crown Golden Ale Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield.
Hong Kong based jockey Joao Moreira won’t be riding at the Caulfield Cup meeting. Photo by Steve Hart.
Moreira had been booked to ride Gris Caro but trainer Jake Stephens was forced to scratch the six year old grey because of a hoof injury.
The Marco Botti trained Dandino was also ruled out of Caulfield Cup contention after pulling up lame following trackwork at the TAB International Horse Centre in Werribee this morning, making way for the first two emergencies, the Peter Moody trained Brambles and Mike Moroney’s seven year old Araldo.
With Moreira’s mount Gris Caro out of the field, Moroney was quick to snap up the leading international jockey but had to look for another rider when Moreira informed Racing Victoria stewards that he would not be riding at Caulfield on Saturday.
“Please note: Joe Moreira is now not riding at the meeting,” Racing Victoria stewards tweeted.
Moriera is currently leading this season’s Hong Kong jockey’s premiership with fifteen wins, three ahead of last season’s leading rider Zac Purton.
The Brazilian born jockey had success during the Sydney Spring Carnival, riding a treble at Randwick on Star Epsom Day on October 4, including He’s Your Man in the Group 1 $500,000 The Star Epsom (1600m) for leading trainer Chris Waller.
With the earlier withdrawal of Dandino from the Caulfield Cup, Craig Williams was left without a ride but is now been booked to ride Araldo, a $14 chance with Ladbrokes.com.au.
In other Caulfield Cup news, Luke Nolen will take the mount on first emergency Brambles ($13) now that the six year old has gained a run and Ben Melham will ride Moody’s other runner Lidari ($12).
Co-trainers David Hayes and Tom Dabernig are now expecting to get a run with third emergency Unchain My Heart after Gai Waterhouse informed stewards that The Offer ($26) was showing signs of lameness in the off fore leg and will have to undergo a veterinary examination in the morning.
Japanese stayer Bande, the second favourite at $7, will also be inspected in the morning but is expected to be passed fit to start.
Caulfield Cup favourite Lucia Valentina had to pass a fitness test before she won the Group 1 $500,000 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 4 and cemented her spot the top of the market order and is currently marked at $4.40.
Topweight Admire Rakti is on the third line of betting at $11 with the Chris Waller trained Junoob at $14 and Australian Oaks winner Rising Romance at $16 while Who Shot Thebarman and Dear Demi share the next line of betting at $17.
