Silvestre de Sousa was back riding in Hong Kong on Sunday, at the start of another short-term contract, and the Brazilian ace secured his first win aboard the Tony Millard-trained Gift Of Lifeline.
“Tony has been very good to me – I rode quite a few winners for him last year and Mr (John) Moore – it's nice to come back and they still have faith in you to put you up – I just hope I can get a winner for them again,” the three-time British champion said.
De Sousa has a book of six rides at Happy Valley and will partner Moore's only runner on the nine-race card, Sunny Boy (117lb), in the Class 2 Hydrangea Handicap (1000m).
“It's nice to be back, I feel like I'm kind of a local jockey now – it's my fourth time now and I love it here,” De Sousa said.
Moore is pleased to have De Sousa's talent back on the Hong Kong circuit and did not hesitate in handing him the mount aboard the speedy Star Witness gelding.
“The strength of De Sousa and the fact that he's drawn well and trained well coming into this – I think he'll be right there in the finish,” Moore said.
Sunny Boy has had issues, which have tempered his progress, and was withdrawn ahead of an intended start last month due to lameness.
“He's always had some soundness issues which we have to manage but 1000 metres is ideal – it will suit him because he is an on-pace runner with a high cruising speed. He's drawn a good gate not like the start before,” Moore said.
De Sousa has had his own injury woes this year. He suffered a fall at Chelmsford in August, returning to action in time to taste Group 1 success aboard Donjuan Triumphant in the British Champion Sprint Stakes on Champion's Day at Ascot in October.
“Everything is spot on health-wise, my fitness is very good – I feel good, I feel 100%,” De Sousa said.
Sunny Boy will face 11 opponents, including Saul's Special (133lb), Yee Cheong Baby (130lb), Tornado Twist (125lb), Refined Treasure (123lb) and last-start 50/1 winner Speedy King (130lb), who reunites with Alberto Sanna.
“It was a great run around the rail, I drew well and I've drawn well again, though last time was 1200 (metres) he's a tough horse and he fights to the line,” Sanna said of that long-odds success.