Joao Moreira has ensured this season’s jockeys’ championship will reach a thrilling climax after drawing level with Zac Purton at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.

The Magic Man had been trailing Purton for a number of weeks and was two behind going into the midweek meeting but he now heads into Saturday’s season finale at Sha Tin full of momentum after riding a double.

It took Moreira only four races to wipe out his rival’s championship lead and the Brazilian first struck aboard Amazing Boy in the Class Five Ventris Handicap (2,200m).

Michael Chang Chun-wai’s runner had been partnered by Purton in his past two starts but Moreira got on him at the right moment and produced an uncomplicated ride to get the five-year-old into the winner’s enclosure for the first time.

From the perfect draw in stall one, Moreira was happy to track front-runner Crown Avenue and held the perfect position one back.

Hugging the rail as they turned for home, Amazing Boy found no trouble on the way home to win by a length and a quarter.

Had he taken a look behind him after passing the post, Moreira’s joy at winning may have been heightened upon seeing Purton finish runner-up on Victorious Seeker.

The Australian rider was again out of luck in the second section of the Class Four Sung Tuk Handicap (1,200m) when failing to get a clear run aboard favourite Triple Triple and his frustrations no doubt increased when he realised Moreira was again headed for the winner’s enclosure after saluting aboard Sugar Sugar.

Moreira’s brace means the race for the premiership is all square heading into the final day but the Magic Man will still need to outscore Purton on Saturday if he is to take home the trophy as he has ridden two dead-heat winners this season compared with Purton’s one.

Elsewhere at the midweek meeting, Keith Yeung Ming-lun rode his first winner since returning from injury when springing a surprise aboard United Endeavors in the Class Four Hau Tak Handicap (1,650m).

Yeung was forced to miss two months after fracturing his toes in a freak collision with the rail aboard Jumbo Goal at the end of April and had not finished closer than third in 20 rides since returning to action, but he was seen to good effect aboard the $35 shot.

“That win means a lot,” Yeung said. “To be honest, I was struggling a bit because a few weeks back I was choosing between coming back and riding again before the end of the season or taking a break.

“I decided to come out and participate for the last few meetings and I’m grateful for all the help I had from the club with physiotherapy and nutrition advice. It was a big help.”

United Endeavors is trained by Peter Ho Leung, who went onto pick up a double on the night after Packing Award won the Class Two Wong Nai Chung Handicap (1,650m).

The four-year-old has provided Ho with four of his 14 wins this season and there should be plenty more to come from him as he continues to progress.

Matthew Chadwick and Vincent Ho Chak-yiu both rode winners on the night, with the former remaining five clear in the race for the Tony Cruz Award after winning the Class Three Oi Kwan Handicap (1,800m) on the Cruz-trained Super Oasis.

“Matthew Chadwick was my apprentice and I believe he will win this award,” Cruz said. “It would be great to see Matthew win the award. He, along with Vincent Ho and Derek Leung [Ka-chun], are doing a great job.”