Hong Kong Diary: Moreira grounded as isolation rules tighten

Joao Moreira's dreams of a winner on Dubai World Cup night have been dashed by a ruling that anyone arriving in Hong Kong (other than from Macau, Mainland China and Taiwan) will have to undergo a 14-day self isolation from Thursday onwards.

Moreira would have to miss up to five subsequent Hong Kong fixtures if he went to the United Arab Emirates – not an option given his Hong Kong Jockey Club role – but Ryan Moore is poised to step in for the Brazilian aboard Hong Kong raiders Big Time Baby (Golden Shaheen) and Elusive State (Godolphin Mile) at Meydan a week on Saturday.

Opportunity knocks as hit-and-run stars stay home

The weighing room for Sunday's Hong Kong Derby will have a different feel than expected as locally based jockeys step in to replace international colleagues who can no longer fulfil their intended bookings.

Moreira's fellow Brazilian Vagner Borges replaces Jamie Spencer on live outsider Super Oasis as he seeks his first Hong Kong winner, while 25-year-old local Matthew Poon steps in for veteran Australian Brett Prebble on former Goodwood Listed winner Private Secretary.

Private Secretary: striding clear at Goodwood last year under Frankie DettoriCredit: Edward Whitaker

Neil Callan has picked up the ride on Columbus County for Caspar Fownes.

Whyte feels Golden is in yellow as Derby day beckons

Leading Derby contenders Golden Sixty and More Than This galloped on Tuesday morning under their big-race riders, with Vincent Ho reporting the former "felt normal, quite relaxed" and Zac Purton describing the latter as "a very casual horse who doesn't need to be doing anything flash in the mornings."

Meanwhile, the legendary Douglas Whyte, who rode three Derby winners before turning to training last year, has no doubt that Golden Sixty deserves to be a strong favourite for Sunday's £2 million showdown.

"Horses with Golden Sixty's amazing turn of foot are few and far between," he said. "He's definitely the one wearing the yellow jersey."

Expansion plans on hold

Owners can now go racing again, whether or not they have a runner, after attendance restrictions were eased slightly last weekend, but concern over the growing number of cases of infection being imported from abroad have put paid to plans to allow more people at Sha Tin on Derby day.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges: concerned at the current state of play in Hong KongCredit: Hong Kong Jockey Club

"You have to have the agility to make changes if necessary and we agree with the government that further opening will have to be delayed for at least two weeks," said HKJC CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges.

"We will also have discussions with licensed people about how we can further strengthen our bubble so that nothing happens here. It is a real concern."

Moore makes merry as stars go on trial

Hong Kong's most decorated trainer John Moore has had to withdraw his main Derby hope Enjoying, who suffered a heart murmur, but the veteran celebrated his 70th birthday on Tuesday by taking his two biggest stars to the morning barrier trials.

Dual Horse of the Year Beauty Generation looked in good shape winning his heat, while star sprinter Aethero looked back on track in bounding clear, and both will return to race action on April 5 to limber up for top-level assignments on Champions Day three weeks later.

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