Moreira gave the Meydan crowd a taste of what the Sha Tin faithful are privy to every week as he produced Japan’s Vivlos to win the G1 Dubai Turf (1800m).

Disappointed after the defeat of Amazing Kids, Hong Kong’s champ was his beaming, fist-pumping self as he returned to the winner’s circle after sweeping centre track to win the top-class contest by half a length from Heshem in a time of 1m 50.20s.

“She was brilliant,” Moreira said of last season’s G1 Shuka Sho winner. “From the time that I sat on top of her on Friday, she gave me the feel that she was going to be very competitive. She was probably the lightest horse in the race and so she wasn’t sinking down, she was able to let down strongly in that ground.

“She made the job very easy for me. She travelled comfortably and when I put her in daylight she was strong to the line and got it done.”

Photo 2:
Joao Moreira partners Japanese runner Vivlos for a win in the G1 Dubai Turf.