Hong Kong dominated the two Group 1 sprints on the card with jockey Joao Moreira riding both winners but for different trainers.
Firstly, twelve months after breaking the 1000m turf track record in the Al Quoz Sprint, the Mike De Kock-trained Shea Shea was a fast finishing third in this year’s renewal behind Amber Sky who made all the running under Moreira.
Trained by Ricky Yiu, Moreira’s mount arrived at Meydan on the back of an impressive 1000m win at Sha Tin and had been pleasing connections all week in his morning work.
The pair flew out of the gates, heading straight to the front and were clear at halfway.
Ahtoug went in chase with 300m to run but was burned off at the 100m pole, with Shea Shea runningon too late and just failing to snatch second.
Amber Sky knocked two-tenths of a second off Shea Shea’s track record in the process.
Brazilian-born Moreira, riding his fourth UAE winner at the fourth attempt, on his first visit since 2008, said: “This horse just has so much natural speed and loves fast, straight, turf tracks.
“The plan was always to get to the front and kick for home about halfway. Even though he travels so well he can still quicken again which is the mark of a very good sprinter.
“We could take him to Royal Ascot perhaps as the likes of Shea Shea are all being aimed there, or maybe Singapore in May and the big Hong Kong Sprint in December must be another target.
“It is great to get a winner here on such a truly international stage.”
The jockey wasted no time doubling his tally with another smooth victory, this time on the John Moore-trained Sterling City who denied compatriot Rich Tapestry in the Group 1 Golden Shaheen.
In a race run at a furious gallop, those blazing the trail dropped away with 300m to run, leaving Rich Tapestry in front, stalked by Moreira who had been denied a clear run early in the straight.
He was then content to take his time before pulling round Rich Tapestry and producing his mount to lead close home in the 1200m Tapeta feature.
Moreira, daubed in a Brazilian flag, said: “Wow, what a night – two winners for Hong Kong. I was pretty confident at the top of the straight but then had to wait for a gap. He then quickened and won well.”
Trainer Moore added: “That was a very good ride because he could have panicked when the door shut. Luckily he didn’t but he is a top jockey.
“It is great to get a winner on this night and it is a great result for ‘Team Moore’ – my son rides him out and my daughter has been performing the groom’s duties so it is extra special. We will go to Singapore next with him.”
