Chad Schofield has developed a solid working relationship with John Moore in recent months and the young Australian is keen to deliver his biggest win for the master handler in Sunday’s (23 June) Group 3 Premier Cup Handicap (1400m) with Styling City.
“I’ve been riding a fair bit for him, it’s good to get a nice chance like Styling City and hopefully I can bring it home,” Schofield said.
The jockey has tallied four wins from 39 rides this season for Moore but Sunday’s Group 3 will be the first time he is legged aboard Styling City.
“It seems a nice race for him,” Schofield said. “He’s obviously a nice young horse, he’s raced through the grades and he’s now in a Group 3 with a light weight. Small field, not much pace: I’d say we’ll be up there making our own luck, and, with no weight on his back, hopefully he’s hard to catch.”
Styling City progressed from being a dual Griffin winner in his first season to notching a hat-trick of wins earlier this season before placing at Group 3 level in the Bauhinia Sprint Trophy (1000m).
“Normally, in these Group race handicaps it favours the light-weight horses. He’s young and up-and-coming so hopefully he can get it done,” Schofield said.
Hong Kong’s champion jockey Zac Purton will ride Benno Yung‘s grey Pingwu Spark (133lb), sharing top weight duties with the Vincent Ho-ridden Winner’s Way (133lb).
Matthew Poon will seek a second Group 3 success with Jolly Banner (127lb), while Joao Moreira and John Size team up with Time To Celebrate (122lb), and Dragon General (117lb) takes his place for Me Tsui.