Thewizardofoz Back to His Best at Sha Tin

Thewizardofoz (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}), the champion griffin in Hong Kong in 2014-2015 and perfect in three tries heading into this season, had lost some of his shine, with a pair of losses at long odds-on prices heading into a key-looking Class 2 over 1400 meters at Sha Tin Sunday afternoon. But the punters went for him despite those efforts and in the immediate aftermath of a curious barrier trial at Happy Valley and the money proved right on.

Sent off the relatively generous 2.6 (8-5) favorite in a field full of promising runners, Thewizardofoz jumped alertly and raced handy to a sharp pace, at first punching the breeze, but able to sit behind dueling leaders on the fence as they raced into the turn. It was nearly academic from there, as Joao Moreira, who had ridden five winners from the first 10 races on the card, eased his mount into the three path with 350 meters to race and stormed away commandingly to score by 2 3/4 lengths (video).

“He definitely looks one of the best 4-year-olds around,” Moreira told South China Morning Post. “I thought he was too keen when Karis Teetan rode him the other day and suggested to [trainer] John [Size], maybe take off the blinkers, but after I trialled him I said, 'OK, don't take them off.'” Size, who was completing a three-timer, said the winner would likely train up to the Hong Kong Classic Mile, the first steppingstone to the Hong Kong Derby, Jan. 24. Size won last year's Derby with Luger (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}).

Blizzard (Aus) (Starcraft {NZ}), who handed Thewizardofoz one of his two defeats this year, finished a gallant second under top weight after covering ground throughout, while Consort (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), the G1 St James's Palace S. third, was a handful in the parade ring and finished better than eight lengths in arrears in a dead heat for sixth as the 39-10 third choice. Hero Look (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) failed to improve on an impressive local debut, finishing eighth as the 2-1 second favorite.

Among Moreira's other winners was the 3-year-old People's Knight (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), an A$1-million Inglis Easter Yearling purchase who took out the Griffin Trophy a few races earlier on the program (video).