Joao Moreira is excited to be taking his saddle back to Royal Ascot next month to ride Japan’s top sprinter Satono Reve in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at the five-day meeting.
It’s 10 years since the Brazilian ace first experienced the historic fixture, when he partnered Hong Kong’s star miler Able Friend in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes for trainer John Moore. There was no dream result that time as the occasion got to the big chestnut gelding, resulting in a disappointing sixth for the rider.
Moreira’s optimism is rooted in his belief that the Noriyuki Hori-trained Satono Reve has the qualities needed to succeed at one of world racing’s most high-profile and hotly-contested occasions.
“There’s no doubt that I’m excited about riding Satono Reve at Ascot,” Moreira told Idol Horse. “He’s a very nice horse, a really good one.”
He takes confidence in the performances Satono Reve has already posted in a 13-race career that has yielded eight wins. The six-year-old’s efforts include victory in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen – with Moreira aboard – at Chukyo in March this year.
But Japan’s domestic sprint scene is regarded as being – in most years – a nick below the world’s very best, so what gives Satono Reve extra kudos is the way he has performed offshore: his two placed runs behind the horse rated as the best sprinter in the world right now, Hong Kong’s speed sensation, Ka Ying Rising.
Satono Reve was third behind Ka Ya Rising in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint over 1200m at Sha Tin in December, then second to the David Hayes-trained champion in the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize at the same track and trip in April.
“Even though I haven’t won a Group race on him yet outside of Japan, this should be my best chance,” Moreira said. “His chance is really good because his form is outstanding.
“Running second in Hong Kong shows he’s good to travel, he’s ok to perform, as long as he’s well looked after.”
Satono Reve is being looked after by his regular groom while lodging in Newmarket for the Ascot run-in at trainer James Horton’s Beech Hurst Stables.
“He’s been in England a little while and the feedback I’m being given is that he’s doing fine over there,” Moreira said.
“He’s a horse I know really well and a horse I should be able to get the best out of at Ascot.” ∎
