Silvestre de Sousa ready to roll in Hong Kong with services in demand

Silvestre de Sousa aims to make an early strike in Hong Kong when partnering Eagle Way in the feature Group 3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap over a mile at Sha Tin on Sunday.

The three-time champion Flat jockey in Britain is starting a four-month stint in Hong Kong and is already proving popular with local connections with rides booked for all bar one of the ten races.

He said on Thursday: “It feels like I’ve never been away. I’m looking forward to Sunday. I’ve got a lot of rides already booked, so the pressure will be on to ride a winner. The fact that I’ve been here before makes it a bit easier; people still remember me.”

Sha Tin Sunday cards and form

De Sousa, 37, rode 16 winners during his previous extended stay in Hong Kong two seasons ago – he participated only in the International Jockeys Challenge in 2017 – and he is feeling invigorated for the winter after securing his third Stobart-backed jockeys’ title in Britain this year, along with a first Group 1 since 2015 when winning the Prix Morny on Pretty Pollyanna.

“This last season was good, so I’m quite happy with the number of winners and how the season went overall,” he said. “The goal [this winter] is to be healthy and safe, and try to get on the right horse.

"The jockeys here are very good; Zac [Purton] is doing fantastic and there are plenty of others, as well. And it looks like Joao [Moreira] is coming back in, which will be great – he’s a big hero here.”

Sha Tin: hosts a ten-race card on SundayCredit: Vince Caligiuri

De Sousa is odds-on favourite to win a fourth British jockeys’ title next year, but expressed the desire on Champions Day this month to try to improve the quality of his rides to match the volume of mounts he has.

Eagle Way is being targeted at the Longines Hong Kong Vase on December 9, and his trainer John Moore is looking for a big run in preparation for that contest.

He said: “The Ladies’ Purse will give him a chance to get some mileage into his legs. I’m delighted with the progress so far and we’re expecting a big run at the weekend.

“This horse was the only one I could get Silvestre for! He’s booked for the next few weeks.”

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