Joao Moreira has won virtually every major prize Hong Kong racing has to offer, but the HK$13 million Champions & Chater Cup at Sha Tin remains the notable omission. That could change on 24 May when the Brazilian links with Japanese raider Deep Monster in the Group 1 staying feature, a race that also carries significant Triple Crown implications for Romantic Warrior.

Hong Kong stages 12 Group 1 races each season and Moreira has collected victories in all of them except the Champions & Chater Cup, the final leg of the Triple Crown. This year’s renewal shapes as one of the strongest in recent memory with Romantic Warrior attempting to emulate River Verdon and Voyage Bubble as only the third horse to complete the three-race series.

Moreira acknowledged the significance of the assignment while also stressing the scale of the challenge ahead.

“It’s a shame that I haven’t won this race, but I’m glad that I am still giving myself a chance to maybe tick that box,” Moreira said as he assessed his opportunity aboard Deep Monster.

The Brazilian has only reviewed the Japanese galloper through race footage but noted the horse’s recent international form. “I’ve only seen (Deep Monster’s) replays. He’s a last-start winner in the Middle East. The race is very strong; however, I’m hoping he runs well,” he said.

Deep Monster arrives with proven staying credentials. The eight-year-old captured the Group 2 H.H. The Amir Trophy over 2400m in February and, three starts earlier, landed the Group 2 Kyoto Daishoten over the same distance. He is due to arrive from Osaka on Friday and will attempt to add another international dimension to the Sha Tin contest.

Moreira, a four-time Hong Kong Champion Jockey, sits on 1,250 career wins in the jurisdiction and has quickly regained momentum since returning on a short-term arrangement with Caspar Fownes. He has ridden eight winners since April and maintains a busy schedule at Happy Valley on Wednesday with six mounts across the nine-race programme.

Purton Closing On 2,000

While Moreira chases a missing Group 1 title, Zac Purton is approaching another landmark in a career already filled with them. The Australian sits on 1,990 Hong Kong wins and is now within touching distance of becoming the first rider to reach 2,000 victories in the city.

Purton heads to Wednesday’s meeting with seven rides, including Aurio in the Class 3 Deauville Handicap for Manfred Man. The champion jockey indicated the gelding’s competitiveness may hinge on race shape and weight conditions.

“He just needs a speed to suit. He can be a little bit tricky in the gates, but he’s been good recently,” Purton said.

He also suggested Aurio may have been vulnerable late under top weight at his previous outing. “I thought he probably could have hit the line a little better than he did last time. Maybe the big weight in this class is anchoring him down a little bit,” he said.

Purton also reunites with Romantic Gladiator in the Class 3 French May Trophy Handicap for Danny Shum, whose stable remains heavily involved in the trainers’ championship battle.

The jockey believes the horse is beginning to furnish into a more reliable performer. “He seems to have come to hand quick enough and last time he showed that he’s getting the hang of things. He’s a horse that is showing he’s ready to do something properly now,” Purton said.

Trainer Premiership Tightens

The Hong Kong trainers’ title remains tightly compressed entering the latter stages of the campaign. Mark Newnham leads with 52 wins, narrowly ahead of Caspar Fownes and Danny Shum on 51 each. David Hayes follows on 48, with Francis Lui on 46 and John Size on 44.

David Eustace also holds a strong hand at the meeting with Silvery Breeze chasing back-to-back wins in the Class 2 ParisLongchamp Handicap.

Eustace pointed to the horse’s consistency throughout the season and the favourable circumstances surrounding his latest success. “He’s been remarkably consistent all season. Everything worked out perfectly (last start) – he had a good draw and he was able to follow the leader at not an overly strong tempo,” the trainer said.

Wednesday’s Happy Valley fixture is the 71st meeting of Hong Kong’s 88-meeting season, with the programme beginning at 6.40pm. As the campaign moves deeper into its closing stages, the focus is increasingly shifting toward milestones — whether it is Moreira chasing the one elite race absent from his Hong Kong résumé or Purton edging toward a number no jockey in the city has previously reached.