Real Deal appeals as Moreira bids to restore the magic

Real Deal
5.00 Sha Tin
1pt each-way

Winning Faith
8.35 Sha Tin
0.5pts each-way

It has been the sort of week when being the Magic Man may not be quite so magical as it seems.

Joao Moreira rode a double at Sha Tin on Sunday but he missed Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup after the former Mark Johnston stayer Regal Monarch fell fatally and was having trouble walking after a fruitless round trip of over 9,000 miles.

The Brazilian returns for an intriguing Saturday card at Sha Tin and punters face the usual riddle of whether to be with or against him on a string of leading fancies.

On balance, I’m against Moreira in the featured Panasonic Cup (8.05am).

Western Express is a smart performer but he has been behind Booming Delight twice recently and John Moore’s gelding looks just about the pick in a race which also features last year’s Britannia Stakes winner Limitless and this year’s Irish Guineas third Exultant (formerly Irishcorrespondent).

“One of the best bets on the card comes in the Class 5 contest” is the sort of phrase heard rarely in Hong Kong but it could ring true in the case of Real Deal in the opener (5.00am).

Real Deal has only recently descended to the cellar level and caught the eye under Zac Purton over 1200m on his latest start, chasing a demanding pace in a race that has worked out well. Neil Callan will be aware of the need for a little more patience and he’s value at 5-1 or better.

Moreira fans will be confidently expecting to collect at short odds when Bravo Watchman bids to continue his progress (8.35am) but don’t be surprised if French rider Alexis Badel coaxes a good tune out of Winning Faith at much longer odds.

The speedy Tourbillon King could make Moreira work harder than the market suggests aboard well-touted newcomer Gouten of Garo (5.30am).

A highly encouraging morning trial defeat of Gouten of Garo makes Sparkling Dragon of interest against Moreira’s well-regarded fellow newcomer Eighty Eighty (7.00am), while World Record went into many a notebook when charging out of a pocket here last month.

The market won’t miss him but his prospects of making amends in the finale (9.45am) are clearly bright.