Joao Moreira swoops late to land QEII Cup on Lys Gracieux

Joao Moreira showed he is still the magic man as he turned perennial bridesmaid Lys Gracieux into a Grade 1 winner in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Kyoto on Sunday.

The four-year-old filly had been runner-up four times at the top level prior to Sunday, including a nose defeat in the Victoria Mile in the spring. She had been only eighth in the corresponding race, run over 1m3f and for fillies and mares, in 2017.

Partnered by Moreira for the first time, she came with an irresistible run to wear down long-time leader Crocosmia in the closing stages, winning by a neck. Last year's winner Mozu Katchan kept on for third but could not change gear like the winner.

Moreira is currently in Japan on a temporary licence, having failed in his bid to gain a permanent one last month. He will not be able to stay in Japan beyond the turn of the year, but rides like this will show the Japanese crowds what they are missing.

On the day he recorded a 100th JRA success, Moreira said: "Today was Lys Gracieux's day. We were in a good position, two off the fence, and she had plenty left in the tank after angling out at the last turn.

Full race result

"Under pressure she responded very well and I had every confidence from the 300m point that we were going to win. She's a real champion."

He added: "This is my first JRA Grade 1 win so I'm especially pleased. I wish my father [who died in 1991] could be here. He would have loved this victory and I'm delighted that I could win this race for him."

The win was a fifth at the top level for Lys Gracieux's trainer Yoshito Yahagi. The filly's previous graded-level wins had been at Grade 3 level over 1m, the latter at Tokyo in February.

For complete coverage of racing and bloodstock in Australia and New Zealand, download ANZ Bloodstock News every day