They call him the Magic Man, and star Brazilian jockey Joao Moreira sprinkled stardust all over Caulfield on Saturday when he showed just why he is so highly rated by booting home a double, including the group 1 Oakleigh Plate aboard the flying mare Sheidel.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The David Hayes-trained sprinter capped a marvellous afternoon for the trainer – who runs his stable in partnership with son Ben and nephew Tom Dabernig – and owner-breeder Robert Crabtree, whose red and white check silks had been carried to victory just 40 minutes earlier in the Blue Diamond by star filly Catchy.
The latter produced a heart-stopping finish to get up in the shadows of the post, but Sheidel did things the hard way, being at the head of affairs right from the off in the helter-skelter 1100-metre dash that is the Plate, one of the country's most prestigious and historical races.
The $8 chance had to show not just speed but grit, and plenty of it, as she had to fight back after being headed by her stable companion, Faatinah, in the drive to the line, getting back up under Moreira's urgings to beat the $41 shot, partnered by apprentice Ben Allen.
The $3.70 favourite, Extreme Choice, ran on late to take third, just ahead of another well-backed candidate in the $6 chance Hellbent.
This win means that Moreira has now won two of Melbourne's big three autumn sprints, having scored in the Newmarket Handicap aboard Brazen Beau two years ago.
Sheidel is set to target the famous Flemington sprint in a fortnight's time, and Moreira says he is keen to return and rekindle the partnership.
The now Hong Kong-based ace has ridden the daughter of Holy Roman Emperor twice for two wins, having scored on her down the Flemington straight on Derby day last year..
"To win those races you need to have a good horse underneath. I had one today. She is so speedy, she jumped out so quickly, travelled straight away on the bridle," he said.
"When she was put under pressure she just didn't give up and kept attacking the line. She has got a big heart. She is small in size but she has such a big heart in there.
"She is a better horse than what she was when I rode her [before] ... there is more to improve on her. If you can grab a group 1 it makes it worthwhile."
Asked if he would come back to ride her in the Newmarket, he smiled. "I can't guarantee but I will look with good eyes for it. Why not," he said.
"She's really deserved this," said a beaming Dabernig. "She has been narrowly defeated in a couple of group 1s. It was amazing to watch."
Crabtree, who is a huge supporter of the Lindsay Park operation, had previously owned horses who had placed in both the Oakleigh Plate and Blue Diamond.
"But to get them with two fillies that will become part of the broodmare band, and to get them with Tom and David and Ben is fabulous," he said.
Hayes said the stable had been very confident going into the race.
"She was just spot on and put the run up. I was thrilled with Faatinah's run too," said the head trainer.
"We are probably going to look at the Newmarket now, she is beautifully weighted. I will be voting to keep her in Melbourne, her end game will be in Adelaide, the Goodwood and the million-dollar race [the Robert Sangster Stakes for fillies and mares] there too.
"Faatinah could be going to Dubai, we will certainly be having a chat with Sheikh Hamdan and maybe heading that way."
