Hong Kong International Raceday: Joao Moreira dominates as Japan flexes muscle with three Group 1s

Champion Brazilian jockey Joao Moreira re­affirmed his standing as one of the best big-race competitors in world racing as Japan stole the show at the Hong Kong International Raceday.

Zac Purton’s quest for Longines International history has been hijacked by a rampant Joao Moreira and a phenomenal Japanese armada of equine stars.

Confident of landing at least one major to snap the Hong Kong International meeting deadlock he shares with Frenchman Gerald Mosse, Purton was condemned to a frustrating day as Moreira ran amok.

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The Brazilian increased his lead over Purton in the Hong Kong jockeys’ premiership to 12 with a stunning quartet as the Australian endured a wretched day.

Needing just a single success to become the most ­successful jockey at the international meeting, Purton remains equal leader on eight with Mosse after three thirds in the majors.

Moreira’s Group 1 victories on Glory Vase in the 2400m Vase and Beat The Clock in the 1200m Sprint boosted his International Day tally to six.

Glory Vase, Admire Mars (Mile) and Win Bright (Cup) combined to give Japan almost complete dominance of the $20 million meeting.

Moreira, 36, on Sunday re­affirmed his standing as one of the best big-race competitors in world racing.

Joao Moreira rides Beat The Clock to victory in the Longines Hong Kong Sprint.

“The emotion is getting the better of me, but that’s what it’s about — winning big races — and today we’ve got another one,” he said after guiding Glory Vase to victory in race-record time.

Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner True Self was the best of the Melbourne spring performers in the Vase, finishing seventh. Geelong Cup winner and Melbourne Cup runner-up Prince Of Arran laboured into 11th. In Her Time was scratched from the Sprint after suffering lameness.

Mackinnon Stakes winner Magic Wand was narrowly denied by Win Bright in an epic cup finish, crossing in second place after being held up in running. The Irish mare drove hard to the line as the Japanese grey resisted.

Japan has now savoured Group 1 victories abroad in three different jurisdictions this year — Australia, England and Hong Kong. Lys Gracieux (Cox Plate) and Mer De Glace (Caulfield) saluted in Australia.

Deidre won the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood, England, and was fourth behind Glory Vase at Sha Tin on a day when the Land Of The Rising unleashed its might.

The Vase also proved to be a showcase of Japanese strength, with three of the first four — Glory Vase, Lucky Lilac (second) and Deidre — blocked from a clean sweep by Hong Kong’s Exultant (third).

Beat The Clock and Moreira hit the overdrive button in the sprint.

Australia’s In Her Time was scratched from the $3.75 million Longines Hong Kong Sprint because of lameness.

Kris Lees’ dual Group 1 winner was ruled out by stewards on veterinary advice.

In a statement, Hong Kong Jockey Club stipendiary steward Kim Kelly said: “It was announced that an examination of In Her Time, trained by Mr Kris Lees, found that horse to have sustained a quarter crack in its left front foot.

“A further examination of In Her Time conducted by the Veterinary Officers this morning has found the horse to be lame in the left front leg.

“As In Her Time is not suitable to race she has been withdrawn by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice.”

In Her Time was the lone Australian entrant at the prestige meeting.

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Originally published as Hong Kong International Raceday: Joao Moreira dominates as Japan flexes muscle with three Group 1s