3 minute read

Melbourne Cup preparations among the internationals stabled at Werribee will go up a gear on Friday when star jockeys Joao Moreira and Tommy Berry team with their race mounts in important track gallops.

Hong Kong champion Joao Moriera will fly into Melbourne on Thursday and make his first visit to the Werribee International Horse Centre on Friday to ride his Cup mount Heartbreak City.

The globetrotting Brazilian jockey will be having his first ride on Heartbreak City, trained by Ireland’s Tony Martin and a last start winner of the esteemed Ebor Handicap at York in August.

Moreira has had two previous Melbourne Cup rides, finishing fourth aboard Signoff in 2014 and 14th on The United States last year.

Berry, who finished fourth aboard Trip To Paris last year, will resume his association with Japanese stayer Curren Mirotic on Friday.

Berry piloted the nine-year-old when he finished 11th in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) at Hanshin in Japan in June.

Other Melbourne Cup contenders Big Orange and Bondi Beach, a pair who both contested the race last year, are also scheduled to have fast gallops on the course proper at Werribee on Friday.

They will have their regular track riders in the saddle.