Its Beauty Over Champions For Moreira
Joao Moreira has chosen Beauty Legacy over Champion’s Way for Hong Kong Classic Mile, the first leg of the 4yo Classic Series.
Moreira partnered Champion’s Way last season. But the 5YO hierarchy has shuffled after his three defeats in as many starts this term, combined with the rise of the Francis Lui-trained duo Golden Sixty and More Than This, and the arrival in the Size yard of the exciting Beauty Legacy. The last-named’s impressive debut win earlier this month, a rare first-up Class 2 victory off a lofty 92 rating, was enough to sway Moreira.
No Hong Kong Classic Mile winner this century has won the race at their second start in Hong Kong, and the memory of another high-class Australian import, Divine Calling, winning first-up under a hold off a mark of 94, placing second in the 2015 Classic Mile at start three and then fading into disappointment is still fresh enough as to be a cautionary tale.
Moreira has three Classic Mile wins already in the bag. Champion’s Way’s new partner, Karis Teetan, is seeking a first.
And victory on Monday would likely be extra sweet for the Mauritian given his unsought ejection – to be replaced by Ryan Moore – from one of the race’s leading candidates, More Than This, despite having enjoyed a three from three alliance with that horse this season.