'I believe he's still one of the best jockeys on the planet'
Champion Irish jockey Michael Kinane has answered an SOS from trainer John Moore and will ride Viva Pataca in Sunday's Champions & Chater Cup at Sha Tin.
Kinane, one of Europe's premier big-race riders, became available when trainer John Oxx was unhappy about the jockey's intended mount in Sunday's Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh.
Kinane (pictured) called Moore yesterday while the trainer was waiting to board a flight to Tokyo to oversee the arrival of Joyful Winner, his Yasuda Kinen hopeful.
'I've just got off the phone and Mick has confirmed he will be here to ride Viva Pataca,' an elated Moore said. 'It's been a trying couple of days, trying to get the best-available jockeys under these unusual circumstances, but it's just wonderful to be able to come up with someone of Mick's ability and big-race record. I believe he's still one of the best jockeys on the planet.'
The last couple of weeks have been a nightmare jockey-go-round for the trainer, who originally thought Christophe Soumillon would take the mount in the Champions & Chater, the final Group One race of the season.
When Soumillon was forced to relinquish the ride due to unforeseen commitments to his retaining owner the Aga Khan, Moore booked Frenchman Gerald Mosse to take the reins on the Hong Kong Derby hero.