Joao Moreira wouldn’t swap Ascoli Piceno for anything in the $10 million Golden Eagle

The Brazilian superstar will chase his biggest win on Australian soil aboard the Japanese contender Ascoli Piceno at Rosehill Gardens.

Jockey Joao Moreira has his sights set on the Golden Eagle. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Joao Moreira, the globetrotting superstar whose taken on the world, reckons he’s on the right horse to claim his biggest ever Australian win in Saturday’s $10m Golden Eagle at Rosehill Gardens.

The star hoop known in racing circles as “The Magic Man” has his sights set on one of Sydney’s new crown jewels as he prepares to pilot boom Japanese filly Ascoli Piceno.

Moreira has made his mark wherever he’s ridden during his storied career that has included more than 2400 winners and 44 Group 1s spanned across two decades.

He’s been no stranger to success at the top level in Sydney with four Group 1 victories to his name.

Moreira won his first Sydney major aboard He’s Your Man in the Epsom Handicap in 2014 and snared a trio of Group 1s aboard Militarize throughout a memorable 2023.

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🇬🇧 Lake Forest
🇫🇷 Lazzat
🇯🇵 Ascoli Piceno

WATCH: International trackwork, some light others more of a gallop, at Canterbury ahead of the $10 million James Squire Golden Eagle this Saturday. @tabcomau@7horseracing@[e-mail]/qax1j1Qr5z

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) October 30, 2024

But winning this week’s Golden Eagle on Ascoli Piceno would see him reach a new level down under.

It comes as Moreira also prepares to pilot favourite Buckaroo in the $8 million Melbourne Cup at Flemington on Tuesday.

Moreira is hungry to win the Golden Eagle first and is adamant he wouldn’t swap Ascoli Piceno for anything in the 1500m race.

“Her form is as good as it gets,” Moreira said.

“She has no doubt been racing against good horses in Japan and performing.

“Obviously when you come over to Australia where you breed so many horses, you are going to find horses that give them a challenge but if I was to pick a ride, there is no doubt she is the one who would be top of the list.”

Moreira will earn his riding fee after the Yoichi Kuroiwa-trained Ascoli Piceno drew poorly in gate 17 at Tuesday night’s barrier draw event.

Ascoli Piceno ($6) has drifted to second favourite behind the Chris Waller-trained Joliestar ($5) as a result.

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Jockey Joao Moreira put Ascoli Piceno through his paces at Canterbury. Picture: Rohan Kelly.

Moreira acknowledges the challenge but has seen topliners rise to the task before.

“It’s going to be tough but sometimes good horses have to make it tough,” he said.

“She will be tested, there is no doubt about it but the way she races, she might enjoy being on the outside.

“If I am able to get in beautiful, if I am not, it is what it is.

“We just have to hope she is good enough to overcome the situation.

“As long as she gets cover, I think she will alright. In Japan, jockeys aren’t too worried about being wide and facing the breeze and she has faced that situation a number of times during her career.”

Seeing the talented rider leg up in Australia could become a regular occurrence after Moreira reiterated his desire to move permanently to Sydney if his young family gives their approval.

Originally published as Joao Moreira wouldn’t swap Ascoli Piceno for anything in the $10 million Golden Eagle