Giving Joao Moreira the Pakistan Star ride to ‘change luck’ could be just a one-off, says Tony Cruz

The booking of Joao Moreira to “change the luck” for Pakistan Star in next Tuesday’s Griffin Trophy at Sha Tin could be a one-off engagement, according to the boom youngster’s trainer, Tony Cruz.

Regular rider Matthew Chadwick had his critics over his performances on Pakistan Star in the three-year-old’s past three defeats but former world-class jockey Cruz wasn’t one of them. Cruz had preferred to point out the disadvantage the handicapper had imposed on the inexperienced and green Pakistan Star by lifting him up the ratings too quickly to be meeting older, experienced and good-quality gallopers before he was ready.

“I don’t think Matthew did a lot wrong but you know how the system works in Hong Kong – when a horse isn’t winning, people look for a change of luck with a different jockey,” Cruz said.

But there is no commitment on either side for Moreira to stay on Pakistan Star beyond Tuesday’s three-year-old feature.

“After this race, our plan is that Pakistan Star will go on to the four-year-old races like the Classic Mile next month,” Cruz said. “So we are taking things step by step as far as the jockey is concerned. I know Joao has other possible commitments in those races, but maybe he will want to stay on Pakistan Star after he has ridden him. Nothing is confirmed beyond Tuesday, so we’ll see how things go there.”

Chadwick said he was disappointed to lose the Pakistan Star ride but was hopeful he could reunite with the potential Derby contender.