Moreira Keen To Ride Peniaphobia Quiet In Hong Kong Sprint

Jockey Joao Moreira has revealed that he is keen to ride Peniaphobia quiet in the 2015 Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Joao Moreira can claim another big race success on Peniaphobia in the 2015 Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin on Sunday. Photo by: Adrienne Bicknell

Joao Moreira can claim another big race success on Peniaphobia in the 2015 Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin on Sunday. Photo by: Adrienne Bicknell

Peniaphobia has not recorded a race win since he took out the Group 1 Kent & Curwen Centenary Sprint Cup (1000m) at Sha Tin on January 25 and Moreira rode him aggressively when he finished seventh in the Group 3 National Day Cup (1000m) on October 1, third in the Group 2 The Premier Bowl (1200m) on October 25 and the Group 2 Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) on November 21.

The Dandy Man gelding was allocated the outside gate when the 2015 Hong Kong Sprint barrier draw was held yesterday afternoon, but Moreira believes that might give him the opportunity to ride Peniaphobia more appropriately in the early stages of the race.

“He has had a great preparation for the run,” Moreira said.

“Unfortunately the draw does not help us much, but we have to play with what we have got.

“It is a great opportunity for the connections to decide to give him a chance rather than to send him forward like last time.

“His last run I had to use too much of him too come across and I ran flat a little bit in the last 100 metres and got caught by Gold-Fun, who went past me in the last 50 metres.

“He is going well and hopefully he can get a clear run in the race and he is definitely a winning chance.”

Peniaphobia is currently available at 2015 Hong Kong Sprint odds of $5.50 with Ladbrokes and he is on the second line of betting behind dominant favourite Gold-Fun, who is currently available at $2.25.

Gold-Fun has been one of the most consistent performers in Hong Kong since he took out the 2013 edition of the Group 1 Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) and he won the Group 1 The Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) on March 16 in 2014 and the Group 1 The Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) earlier this year.

The six-year-old started his summer preparation with a second place finish behind Able Friend in the Premier Bowl and he stamped himself as the clear favourite for the Hong Kong Sprint with his strong effort in the Jockey Club Sprint.

Not Listenin’tome ($9) and Straight Girl ($9.50) are the only other horses available at single figure 2015 Hong Kong Sprint odds.

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.