Hong Kong diary: Joao Moreira's Melbourne Cup dream hangs in the balance

Joao Moreira's dream of winning the Melbourne Cup aboard Constantinople are up in the air as Australian stewards will only rule on an appeal from Glen Boss on Monday – the day before the race.

Boss is first choice for the former Aidan O'Brien-trained runner, who is favourite for the Cup after an unlucky Caulfield Cup fourth on his debut for leading Australian trainer David Hayes, but will only be free if he can overturn or delay the ban he sustained last weekend.

Moreira came agonisingly close to winning the race that stops a nation when pipped aboard the Tony Martin-trained Heartbreak City three years ago and is resigned to the fact he could make the nine-hour flight to Melbourne with no big-race ride at the end of it.

“Glen is a good friend,” he said. “I wish him nothing but the best and hope he can find a way to get around all of this so I wish him well.”

Moreira’s treble at Sha Tin on Sunday extended his lead over Zac Purton in the jockeys’ championship to ten for the first time this season.

Millard up for the Cups as he mulls Elusive options

Tony Millard enjoyed a weekend to remember with his vastly improved all-weather performer Elusive State landing the Sha Tin feature followed by the Springboks Rugby World Cup victory.

The South African trainer will be cheering louder than most when the Boks take on England on Saturday but he was keeping his cards close to his chest after Elusive State’s latest success under Moreira.

Elusive State: has been an impressive performer for Tony MillardCredit: Hong Kong Jockey Club

Wary of getting too far ahead of himself with a horse who was rated just 57 when joining him last year, Millard confined himself to saying: "We’ve got a plan for him so let’s hope we can pull it off.”

Part-owner Eden Wong is hopeful his runner gets enough points to head to Saudi Arabia for the inaugural Saudi Cup.

Elusive State has a Hong Kong mark of 104 but suitable all-weather options for him to advance his international claims for the lucrative Saudi contest next February are distinctly thin on the ground.

One such chance could present itself in December but, as a rueful Millard said: “We’ve got to get an international Group class dirt horse qualified by running on the grass, which is very tough.”

Valuable claim could help Star shine again

Moreira links up with Hello Beauty for the first time in the Hebe Hill Handicap (1.45) at Happy Valley on Wednesday and John Moore believes the four-year-old will definitely win a Class 3.

However, the trainer concedes that stall 11 at the Valley is not ideal and two in-form rivals with more favourable draws are worth a positive mention for contrasting reasons.

Planet Star has developed into a reliable Class 3 performer at the Valley and the fact his trainer Paul O’Sullivan has booked 10lb claimer Alfred Chan to partner him for the first time looks notable.

Karis Teetan's suspension gives Italian rider Umberto Rispoli the chance to climb aboard Shining Ace for the first time.

Trainer by John Size, Shining Ace has been raised 6lb for a recent course-and-distance win but the way he travelled impressively and could be progressing well enough to go close again.

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