I think I was born to ride winners, says Moreira

Dubai - Moreira will be seen riding five horses - Heartbreak City, 3,200m Dubai Gold Cup, Amazing Kids, 1,200m Al Quoz Sprint, Wild Dude, 1,200m Dubai Golden Shaheen, Vivlos, 1,800m Dubai Turf, Gold Dream, 2,000m Dubai World Cup - in the Dubai World Cup Carnival

It's not for any particular reason that Joao Moreira is called the 'Magic Man'. If you looked at his jaw-dropping track record at Sha Tin (Hong Kong) early this month where he produced eight winners, you would want to take your hat off to this jockey.
On that day it was a case of whatever Moreira touched turned to gold. But the modest Hong Kong-based jockey was quick to give credit to his horses.
"I've been fortunate to be getting good horses. Obviously, I didn't expect to have such a good day. The day before I raced in Australia I didn't ride a winner so there were doubts about whether I was feeling well or not, but the number of winners that I had, proved that I was feeling good, so yes, things went well on that day which made it a special day."
So is he hard on himself if he doesn't win?
"Yes, because I think I was born to ride winners and when we don't we try to figure out why we didn't ride winners. And there are various reasons. Either you didn't get enough rides or you did not do a proper form on the horses or you would have done something wrong," he said.
The Brazilian-born is a big hit in Hong Kong and is expected to win every race. "From day one that I stepped into Hong Kong I knew I was going to be under pressure and I just got so used to it. The most pressure was last week when I won the Hong Kong Derby, that day I felt like everyone else was watching me. We know in Hong Kong every jockey is under pressure and those who can cope with it is going to succeed. And it seems like I'm able to hold it on."
Moreira will be seen riding five horses - Heartbreak City, 3,200m Dubai Gold Cup, Amazing Kids, 1,200m Al Quoz Sprint, Wild Dude, 1,200m Dubai Golden Shaheen, Vivlos, 1,800m Dubai Turf, Gold Dream, 2,000m Dubai World Cup - in the Dubai World Cup Carnival.
"I think Heartbreak City would be my best ride and Amazing Kids would be my second best ride.
"I was blessed to ride Heartbreak City in the Melbourne Cup race to second place. He is such a honest horse, a small little type of a horse you wouldn't think he is that good but when you see some of his races you will say 'geez' he's got such a big engine in there."
Moreira said Amazing Kids is a very nice horse. "John Size (trainer) and I have a very high opinion about him. Lately his track record has been eye-catching. So we've come here getting to know we have a winning chance."
Vivlos is Moreira's third best rider. "She is quite short in size but quite tall and leggie. When she strides out she can do it very beautifully.
Moreira will saddle Gold Dream in the World Cup. "I saw him in Japan and he was racing over the mile, 1,800m, one race over 2,000. He indicates that he will be able to run 2,000 but that would be just stretching him at his limit. 2,000m will be the farthest that he can run. So 2,200m I doubt he could handle it.
"I'm gonna have to deal with a horse that doesn't have much gate speed so hopefully I can get him out a little quicker and place him closer to what he's been doing in Japan."
clareto@khaleejtimes.com