Another Moreira Masterpiece in QE II

Jockey Joao Moreira needs no introduction. Having cut his teeth in his native Brazil, the 32-year-old, affectionately referred to as 'Magic Man,' took Singapore by storm during his time there and has rewritten the record books since arriving in Hong Kong a few seasons ago. In his short time in the region, he has won each of the four Hong Kong International Races, and during the off-season, he has retained his physical and metal acuity by riding on the JRA circuit. That has helped Moreira forge relationships with some of Japan's top conditioners, including the very successful Noriyuki Hori, for whom he rode Maurice (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}) to a victory in last year's G1 Champions Mile at Sha Tin. That partnership was renewed in Sunday's G1 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin, and it was yet another masterfully savvy ride from Moreira that carried the progressive 6-year-old Neorealism (Jpn) (Neo Universe {Jpn}) to a narrow defeat of 'TDN Rising Star' Pakistan Star (Ger) (Shamardal). Defending champion Werther (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), favored at even money, was another neck back in third.

Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
AUDEMARS PIGUET QUEEN ELIZABETH II CUP-G1, HK$20,000,000 (£1,994,751/€2,364,014/A$3,442,708/
US$2,570,229), Sha Tin, 4-30, 3yo/up, 2000mT, 2000mT, 2:04.59, gd/fm.
1–&NEOREALISM (JPN), 126, h, 6, by Neo Universe (Jpn)
1st Dam: Tokio Reality, by Meadowlake
2nd Dam: What a Reality, by In Reality
3rd Dam: What Will Be, by Crozier
O-Carrot Farm Co Ltd; B-Northern Farm; T-Noriyuki Hori; J-Joao Moreira; HK$11,400,000. Lifetime Record: MGSW & G1SP-Jpn, 18-8-1-2, HK$26,791,550. *1/2 to I'll Love Again (Jpn) (El Condor Pasa), MSW & G1SP-Jpn, $3,130,891; Real Impact (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), G1SW-Jpn & Aus, $5,301,696. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Pakistan Star (Ger), 126, g, 4, Shamardal–Nina Celebre (Ire), 'TDN Rising Star' by Peintre Celebre. (€180,000 Ylg '14 ARQAUG; HK$6,000,000 HRA '16 HKIS). O-Kerm Din; B-Gestut Wittkindshof; T-Tony Cruz; HK$4,440,000.
3–Werther (NZ), 126, g, 5, Tavistock (NZ)–Bagalollies (Aus), by Zabeel (NZ). O-Johnson Chen; B-C D Allison, C V & J A Barnao, A R Campbell, T G Heptinstall, T M Pivac & D R Platt; T-John Moore; HK$2,000,000.
Margins: NK, NK, 3/4. Odds: 7-2, 9-5, Evens.
Also Ran: Blazing Speed (GB), The United States (Ire), Secret Weapon (GB), Dicton (GB), Designs on Rome (Ire).
Click for the HKJC.com chart, sectional timing and PPs. VIDEO. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

Having defeated Maurice when leading every step of the way in last year's G2 Sapporo Kinen (2000m) and having raced prominently when defeating a good field in his seasonal return in the G2 Nakayama Kinen (1800m) Feb. 26, Neorealism was expected to be one of the leaders in a race which, on paper, lacked significant speed. Any such plans were foiled as the gates flew, as Neorealism didn't get away all that well, and Aussie raider The United States (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), heading off to stud in South Africa, fell onto the lead almost unwillingly and set impossibly slow fractions tracked by Blazing Speed (GB) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}). Pakistan Star, Werther and and Neorealism were fighting their respective riders for their heads given the total absence of tempo, but Moreira took the race by the horns at the 1000m, pulling out Neorealism into the fast lane and the pair shot into the lead prior to the entrance to the final turn. A much happier horse when allowed to do his thing, Neorealism traveled well nearing the stretch and went for home, but Werther was poised close up and Hong Kong Derby runner-up Pakistan Star, off the bit at the 500m, peeled out to deliver his challenge. But the Japanese raider dug in doggedly and found the wire first even as Pakistan Star was pulling back the margin.

“He doesn't seem to be a horse that would sit and sprint, so the early move, I think, was the key to getting him to win,” Moreira explained. “Mr. Hori gave me the freedom in case things happened the way they did today–I would have gone a little bit earlier, but I think it worked out perfectly this way.”

Silvestre de Sousa was frustrated, but simultaneously thrilled with the performance from Pakistan Star.

“He ran a very good race,” the Brazilian said. “The pace was just too slow early. He got left behind when they sprinted but finished off so well.”

Pedigree Notes:
The winner's dam, a $145,000 purchase out of the 1996 Fasig-Tipton Florida Sale, was a three-time winner of better than $400,000 in Japan, but has excelled in the breeding shed. Neorealism is the mare's second Group 1 winner, as her foal of 2008 Real Impact (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) won the G1 Yasuda Kinen at three in 2011 and held his form to take out the G1 George Ryder S. in Australia at seven. Real Impact shuttles from Shadai to Arrowfield Stud. Tokio Reality is the dam of a 2-year-old filly by Zenno Rob Roy (Jpn) who fetched ¥20,250,000 at the 2015 JRHA Select Foal Sale and she failed to produce a foal when bred to G1 Dubai Duty Free S. winner Just a Way (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) in 2016. She was most recently bred to Shadai's G1 Tokyo Yushun hero Kizuna (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).