Joao Moreira rode a treble at Sha Tin on Sunday and he was buzzing after Sky Field (Deep Field) put four lengths on the field in the Class 4 Mr Award Handicap (1200m).
The Caspar Fownes-trained three-year-old, who was purchased out of Trelawney Stud’s 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 draft, broke his maiden at the third attempt in a manner that points to a bright future.
“It’s been a while since I’ve ridden a nice young talent like him. The best part of it is that he feels like a raw type, that has plenty of improvement still,” Moreira said.
“There are no words to describe what a great feeling you get when you ride such a nice horse.”
Sky Field is out of the O’Reilly mare Laravissante, a half-sister to former Hong Kong star The Duke.
Moreira took the first of the 11 races – the Class 5 Medic Kingdom Handicap (1400m) with the John Moore-trained Kelmimi Wins and was also successful in the final race on the card with the New Zealand-bred three-year-old Good Luck Friend, a son of Swiss Ace.
Despite Moreira’s three wins, jockey premiership honours remained with rival Zac Purton who secured his fourth Hong Kong champion jockey title with his 144th win. With Moreira suspended for the season’s final meeting on Wednesday, Purton’s title win was sealed on Sunday night.
