An intelligent horse with a unique sense of theatre, who goes by the nickname of 'Mister Tibbs', is poised to provide the crowning moment in John Moore's already brilliant season in next weekend's $14 million Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby.
'Mister Tibbs' was the name chosen by Moore for his high-quality British import Tiber, who goes into next Sunday's classic a last-start conqueror of favourite Lucky Owners and is now primed, according to the trainer, to repeat the dose.
Moore took a moment near the close of business on Friday to provide an overview of this year's Derby - a race he won nine years ago with Makarpura Star - in the greater context of his 33 years of Hong Kong experience.
'I first came here as an amateur jockey in 1971, right at the end of the amateur era,' Moore recalled from his business office high above the hustle and bustle of Lan Kwai Fong.
'The new era of Hong Kong racing began in October that year, when Peter Miers, Peter Gumbleton and Geoff Lane were the first of the new breed of professional jockeys. I turned professional and rode a lot of the horses that Peter Miers wasn't able to ride.'
Moore is the eldest son of the legendary Australian champion jockey George Moore, who called an end to his riding career at that time, having won the Victoria Derby on Classic Mission in November 1971.
John recalls the unlikely sequence of events that led his father to Hong Kong, as he had been lured to France for a 'once-in-a-lifetime' opportunity to be the retained trainer for silver magnate and renowned racing devotee Nelson Bunker Hunt. Moore Snr, renowned for his quick temper, tore up the contract when Bunker Hunt's money was coming away too slowly for his liking.