Joao Moreira jumps aboard Francis Lui's Packing Angel in search of third Hong Kong Derby win
Brazilian jockey looks to follow up successes atop Rapper Dragon and Sky Darci in city's most prestigious race
Three jockeys have enjoyed a pair of BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) successes in the past decade, but its Brazilian superstar Joao Moreira who looks best placed to chase a third victory in the hallowed contest at Sha Tin on Sunday.
While Zac Purton is in the final stages of his return from injury and Hugh Bowman rides outsider Lo Rider, Moreira joins forces with one of the more-fancied chances in the Francis Lui Kin-wai-trained Packing Angel.
A close fourth behind Rubylot in the Classic Cup (1,800m) after three straight wins at 1,400m, Packing Angel – a son of Melbourne Cup winner Shocking – looks well equipped to run the 2,000m of the Derby and Moreira should be able to find a prominent position with cover from gate six.
'I hope in his last run he learned a little bit more and Joao also knows him [now],' said Lui of Packing Angel, who was ridden by Moreira for the first time in the Classic Cup.
Rubylot mows them down in the Hong Kong Classic Cup at Sha Tin! My Wish is brave in defeat as @brentonavdulla and David Hayes combine for victory... 🏆#4YOSeries | #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/5YiJeHY1Ub — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 2, 2025
'He's a good horse. He only had six runs before the Classic Cup and he just went straight from 1,400m to 1,800m, which is a little bit much for a young horse.'
While Moreira enjoyed Derby success in 2017 with Rapper Dragon and 2021 with Sky Darci, Lui will chase a second win in five years after snaring the 2020 edition of the race with the great Golden Sixty.
'It's the owner's dream for their four-year-old horses. It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance and it's a very special race. Hopefully, I can win it again this year,' Lui said.
While Packing Angel is Lui's leading chance in a race where the David Hayes-trained Rubylot is expected to lead the market, the veteran handler will also be represented by Cap Ferrat and Steps Ahead.
Cap Ferrat will be ridden by Craig Williams and Lyle Hewitson pilots Steps Ahead for the 66-year-old.
'[Cap Ferrat has] drawn barrier two, which is a good draw. The connections expected it, they're happy. I think he has a chance,' said Lui of his son of Snitzel, who finished ninth from gate 10 in the Classic Cup.
'He had a bad draw and he had to use him a little bit more in front last time. It's much easier to relax him from gate two. Hopefully, we can find a good position.
'[Steps Ahead is] an honest horse and he's in good form. He always tries hard and you never know.'
Moreira, who jets into Hong Kong for the third time this season, will be busy on the Derby undercard, jumping aboard The Heir, Packing Hermod, Island Breezes, Parterre, Everyone's Star, Master Trillion and Pakistan Legacy.
After piloting Packing Hermod to victory on international day in December, he fittingly partners Lui's four-year-old in Sunday's Class Two Rapper Dragon Handicap (1,400m).
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