A double for Joao Moreira has closed the gap on arch-rival Zac Purton in the race for the Hong Kong jockeys’ premiership.

After Purton rode an early winner at the Happy Valley meeting on Wednesday night, Moreira hit back with a double to be three winners adrift of Purton.

Purton leads 129 to Moreira’s 126.

Moreira is aiming to win his first premiership since the 2016-17 season when he rode a record 171 winners while Purton is tyring for his fourth premiership and third in a row.

The battle remains for top honours in the trainers’ title with Ricky Yiu leading Francis Lui by five, 59 to 54.

Racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday, one of nine meetings remaining for the season that finishes on July 15.