Joao Moreira open to Australian move
With the prized rides on the Golden Eagle and Melbourne Cup favourites, it’s no surprise Joao ‘The Magic Man’ Moreira has a soft spot for Australian racing.
Joao Moreira has declared his desire to make Australia a more permanent base – if he can convince his family.
The world-renowned Brazilian-born jockey has been jetting between his home country, Australia and Japan in recent months and will be in Sydney on Saturday to partner Japanese-trained favourite Ascoli Piceno in the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill.
After putting the mare through her paces at Canterbury on Wednesday, Moreira revealed he would love to make the move to Australia but had yet to convince his family.
“If I was going to make the call right away, I’d be making Australia my home by now,” Moreira said.
“Don’t forget, I’ve got a family and I’ve got to make sure I can convince them this would be the best place for them to live.
“I have been trying and so far, it is just conversations and discussions, but nothing has been confirmed so far.”
Moreira claimed the Craven Plate on the Chris Waller-trained Lindermann at Randwick last Saturday and in addition to Ascoli Piceno, he has seven rides this weekend, including Linderman’s stablemate Hinged in the Rosehill Gold Cup (2000m) and King Of Sparta in the Russell Balding Stakes (1300m).
He has also ridden Waller’s Buckaroo at his past three starts, taking out the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield in September and finishing runner-up on the gelding in both the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) and Caulfield Cup (2400m).
The horse the $5 betting sites favourite for the Melbourne Cup and Moreira is looking forward to renewing his acquaintance with Buckaroo on Tuesday when he will chase his first win in Australia’s most famous race, having twice finished second aboard Soulcombe (2023) and Heartbreak City (2016).
“When you decide to make a move to Australia for a short stint, you never know what you are going to end up on. I’ve got some really nice horses coming up,” Moreira said.
“I didn’t ride too many really good horses up until now, but I’m not complaining about that.
“What is coming next, I think it is really exciting. This filly (Ascoli Piceno) is one of them and my Melbourne Cup ride, no doubt, is another one.
“It’s one of so many jockeys’ dream rides.”
More Racing News
Freedman's classy pair set sights on Sydney features
Mitch Freedman is yet to confirm Attrition's resumption at Rosehill this weekend, but a Sydney campaign later in the year is firmly on the agenda for the impressive galloper.The Ballarat trainer has once again earmarked the Hill Stakes, to be run on October 10, as the primary spring target for...
Another Wil readies for Victorian campaign start
Having transferred to Victoria, Another Wil is poised to commence his latest campaign in the PB Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield.The seven-year-old arrived at Ciaron Maher's Ballarat stable last Saturday morning from Sydney. His participation on Saturday hinges on a Tuesday workout.Accompanying Another Wil on the trip from Sydney were Light...
Country racing clubs at risk from proposed gambling legislation
The financial stability of Australia's country race clubs, the very essence of thoroughbred racing, is under threat if gambling reforms extend beyond the current legislative proposals.During a recent Senate inquiry in Canberra, Racing Victoria chief executive Aaron Morrison and acting Racing NSW chief executive Graeme Hinton passionately articulated the potential...
Oliveanotherday's spring preparation begins with Casterton jump-out
Tom Dabernig is preparing to increase the workload for the promising gelding Oliveanotherday, with a planned jump-out at Casterton.This outing at Casterton on Monday will be Oliveanotherday's first public appearance since his triumph in the Listed Wangoom Handicap (1200m) during Warrnambool's three-day carnival in May.Oliveanotherday boasts an impressive record of...
Revengeance's Next Start: The Rosebud Or A Trial?
Trainer Adrian Bott is weighing up options for the immediate future of his promising colt Revengeance, a winner of the Golden Gift. A decision on whether he contests The Rosebud or has another trial will be made after Tuesday's trackwork.The two-year-old is set to be entered for Saturday's Listed event...
Craig Williams claims sixth Scobie Breasley Medal honour
Esteemed jockey Craig Williams has secured his sixth Scobie Breasley Medal, a prestigious award for riding excellence in Victoria.This latest win for Williams comes exactly two decades after he first claimed the award in 2006. He went on to replicate this success in 2007, 2008, and 2009. The jockey's most...
Patience rewarded as $3 million filly Ernaux breaks through at Randwick
Two years ago, American businessman John Stewart was involved in a significant bidding war for a daughter of Winx, ultimately losing out. However, he was successful in acquiring another elite prospect from that year's Inglis Easter Sale. While he finished as the underbidder on the $10 million Winx filly to...
Ninja's Missile Stakes win propels him into Everest calculations
Ninja proved too strong for a small but select group of competitors in Sydney's opening stakes race of the season, the Group 2 $300,000 Missile Stakes over 1200 metres.The Michael Freedman-trained sprinter set a race record of 1 minute 08.28 seconds, a time that would have been competitive in most...
In-form mare Flyer set for stud after Caulfield success
Trainer Jason Warren is hopeful of identifying another suitable Stakes race for the mare Flyer before she transitions to a life of stud duties.Flyer achieved a significant, long-priced victory in the MSC Signs Handicap (1200m) at Caulfield Heath last Saturday. Warren shared that the mare is already booked to be...
Shannen Llewllyn off to a flying start with Ciaron Maher-trained Eliyass
In a promising sign of things to come, eight-year-old gelding Eliyass has recaptured his winning ways with a determined all-the-way victory at Randwick. This performance serves as a timely precursor for apprentice jockey Shannen Llewllyn, who is set to transfer her indentures to trainer Ciaron Maher.Llewllyn, currently based in Newcastle,...