Joao Moreira has received a surprise call-up to ride the Noriyuki Hori-trained Danon Beluga in the G1 Dubai Turf at Meydan next Saturday, replacing Japan’s champion jockey Yuga Kawada.
Moreira was already locked in to partner the Hori-trained Cafe Pharoah in the G1 Dubai World Cup and the Danon Beluga booking gives the brilliant Brazilian three mounts on the card, the other being the Uruguayan G2 UAE Derby contender Es-Unico.
“I will ride Danon Beluga in the Dubai Turf, it is a good ride to have and I’m looking forward to doing my best for Mr Hori and the owner,” Moreira said. “I rode the other two horses in Saudi, Cafe Pharoah was third in the Saudi Cup and Es-Unico is a horse that ran a good race to be fourth in the Saudi Derby.”
Kawada rode Danon Beluga in each of the four-year-old’s last four starts, all at Group1 level, for fourth in the Satsuki Sho and the Tokyo Yushun, third in the Tenno Sho Autumn and fifth in the Japan Cup. The last of those efforts saw the colt hit the lead with 250m to race, only to be headed and then crowded and snatched up close home when beaten.
Hori has been a big supporter of Moreira in the past, during the rider’s contracts in Japan and in big race assignments overseas. They have enjoyed Group 1 wins together in Hong Kong, with Maurice in the Champions Mile, Satono Crown in the Hong Kong Vase and Neorealism in the QEII Cup.
