Joao "Magic Man" Moreira warmed up for BMW Hong Kong Derby day by wowing racing fans in Melbourne on Saturday with a winning double that included three-year-old Brazen Beau mopping the floor with the world's elite older sprinters.
The Brazilian had four rides at Flemington, where he had won the Group One Coolmore Stakes on Chris Waller-trained Brazen Beau at last year's Melbourne Cup carnival against the colt's own age group.
On Saturday, Brazen Beau was up against Lankan Rupee, Terravista and Chautauqua - recently rated the top three sprinters in the world - but some Moreira magic made them all disappear. Brazen Beau scored a devastating win by almost three lengths in one of Australia's most revered sprints, the Newmarket Handicap, and is likely to be another mount for Moreira at Royal Ascot in June, where he is already down to ride Hong Kong star Able Friend.
"He just jumps, travels nice and then kicks strongly at the finish - from a long way out I knew I was going to win because he was travelling so strongly," Moreira said.
Moreira flew overnight to ride Able Friend at Sha Tin this afternoon in the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup and Redkirk Warrior in the Derby.
