The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s March 1 racing program at Sha Tin Racecourse features a rare highlight: the second leg of the Hong Kong Triple Crown, the Hong Kong Gold Cup (G1), sharing top billing with the Hong Kong Classic Cup. Romantic Warrior, an 8-year-old local star and recent winner of the Stewards’ Cup, is favored to continue his Triple Crown bid in the 2,000-meter Gold Cup, while Little Paradise aims for a second win in the Classic Cup, part of the Derby series leading to the prestigious Hong Kong Derby. Both races are key events on turf and attract strong fields, with the Derby known for producing future international stars like Golden Sixty.
Adding to the excitement, renowned jockey Joao Moreira, nicknamed “Magic Man,” is set to return in April as stable rider for trainer Caspar Fownes. Moreira, a four-time Hong Kong champion, had left to pursue international opportunities but will now rejoin the competitive Hong Kong jockey scene, where Zac Purton has dominated recently. This return promises to intensify jockey rivalries and add further intrigue to the upcoming racing season.
