Moreira returns from suspension with double

Craig Brennan/Michael Lee
Saturday, June 06, 2009

Brazilian jockey Joao Moreira did not waste any time getting back into winning form when he landed the opening two races on Saturday.

It was Moreira’s first day back riding following a four-meeting suspension. Co-incidentally the double aboard Yari Cozzene and Princess Jay was earned for in-form owner Hippocrates Stable, but for two different trainers.

During his lay-off, Moreira made a quick return to Brazil to catch up with familiy.

Yari Cozzene gets the ball rolling for Joao Moreira in the opening event on Saturday.

His two winners on Saturday were Japanese-breds which continued the recent good run of success that the breds have been having. It followed Hanauma Bay and Silence Touch’s double on Friday night and Jolie’s Shinju success in the Group 1 Patrons’ Bowl on May 31.

Yari Cozzene kicked the day off when he took out the $65,000 Initiation Stakes over 1600m while Princess Jay scored in the $65,000 Restricted Maiden over 1200m.

Well supported in betting, Yari Cozzene scored by a length-and-a-quarter over Lycraa (John Powell) with Ravages (Soo Khoon Beng) a half-length away third.

Trainer Steven Burridge said Yari Cozzene had been green and immature and had taken racing to get into winning form.

“He may be able to go on with it now,” said Burridge. “He’s done a good job to win.

“He’s been green and immature all throughout but he’s possibly just needed some ground to show his best.

“He’s still learning and when he finally learns to settle I think he may get a little further.”

Burridge praised the winning ride of Moreira who showed aggression in pushing out from a pocket on the hometurn.

“He rode him well and he rode him aggressively as well,” said Burridge. “He pushed him out on the home turn, but he was able to show a good turn of foot.”

Yari Cozzene was lining-up for his eighth start on Saturday. Having previously recorded two second placings, the gelding put the writing on the wall with a last-start second to Joyluck over 1600m on May 8.

A four-year-old, Yari Cozzene is by Star Of Cozzene from the Soviet Star mare Nishino Royal and took his prizemoney to around the $55,000 for the Hippocrates Stable.

Moreira certainly earned his money aboard Princess Jay as the filly was under pressure as far out as the 700m of the 1200m contest.

Princess Jay brings up the double for Joao Moreira in Race 2.

But the filly responded gamely to Moreira’s urgings to record a one-and-a-quarter length victory over Doraemon (Benny Woodworth) with Grand Army (Vlad Duric) three-quarters-of-a-length back in third place.

The Hideyuki Takaoka-trained Princess Jay, a three-year-old Japanese-bred filly by Forty Niner, was racing in the second colours (purple and white fleur de lys) of the Hippocrates Stable (No 2).

Moreira, who has certainly picked up a sizeable fan base since he began riding in Singapore back in March, was again modest in victory.

“I’m just lucky. I’m just completing the job of the trainer,” said Moreira who has now brought his haul to 22 wins.

“Mr Takaoka gave me a nice horse to ride and I’m just lucky to jump aboard. It was the same thing for my previous winner for Mr Burridge – all luck.”

Moreira flew back to Brazil straight after the Singapore Airlines International Cup on May 17 and spent a week with his wife and baby in Sao Paulo before heading back to Kranji to resume trackwork duties.

“I missed my family and I was so glad to see them again. Everything’s good with my wife and baby, and now I’m back and focused on the job here.”