Joao Moreira has confirmed he will ride the Caspar Fownes-trained Senor Toba in the Classic Cup later this month.

Moreira partnered John Size’s Master Delight into 11th in the first leg of the four-year-old series – last month’s Classic Mile – but with that galloper’s Classic Series tilt likely over, the Brazilian is excited to continue his association with Fownes’ grey.

“I’m very happy to ride him, he might not be 100 per cent fit quite yet but he will be a good ride for the Derby,” the jockey said.

Senor Toba missed an intended run on February 3 with a lame left hind but has been in fine fettle since, with last year’s Queensland Derby (2,400m) runner-up sure to get better the further out in trip he steps.

“I worked him [Thursday] morning and he feels great,” Moreira said of Senor Toba, who he piloted to victory in his last start – a 2,000m Class Two in December.

While Moreira will return from the six-meeting suspension he is currently serving in time for the Classic Cup fixture on February 27, he misses the dual Group One card next weekend.

A couple of gallopers who will target more top-line success next Sunday tuned up for their respective assignments at Friday morning’s trials, with Panfield (Gold Cup) and Waikuku (Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup) stepping out.

Waikuku chases back-to-back Group One wins after knocking off Golden Sixty under Zac Purton in the Stewards’ Cup last month and the Australian jockey is confident his mount has held his form.

“I think after the cold weather recently, we got a nice sunny morning and he thought he was just here for a day out,” Purton said after Friday’s hit-out.

“He ambled to the gates. I had to get the pony to drag him to the gate and then he just cruised around in his trial and did what he does. But he’s moving well, pulled up in good order and I’m looking forward to riding him again next week.

“He’s coming off the back of a good win against good opposition. We’ll go to the races full of confidence and hopefully he can draw a nice gate and give him a nice run and hopefully he can get the job done again.”

Moreira began his suspension with an 18-win lead over Purton but that has been slashed in half after just two meetings and Purton has another nine chances to continue his charge at Sha Tin on Saturday afternoon.

Purton jumps aboard the likes of the consistent My Sugar, last-start winner Romantic Combo, debutant Ka Ying Lucky and progressive four-year-old En Pointe.

He will also look to continue his fruitful relationship with Francis Lui Kin-wai – they have saluted 11 times from 21 attempts so far this season – aboard Golden Empire in the Class Four Daisy Handicap (1,200m).

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“He still doesn’t really know what he’s doing, he begun OK [when winning last start]. He just doesn’t have any speed after that, he just wants to drop right out, he won’t travel,” Purton said.

“But to his credit, when it mattered I swept him to the outside and he closed the race off nicely and switched off the last little bit.

“I think as time goes on, he should become a little more push-button and he’ll probably get further as well. He’s turned up race day so far and I can’t think why he won’t again.”