Zac Purton's absence through suspension has gifted arch-rival Joao Moreira a second chance on likely Hong Kong Classic Mile favourite Divine Calling and the Brazilian superstar partnered the grey in an impressive barrier trial at Sha Tin on Tuesday.
As is often the case, the popular championship-leading jockey would have had to choose between numerous runners in the HK$8 million event on Sunday week, but will partner the Tony Millard-trained Australian import for the second straight race.
Purton won on Divine Calling first-up before forgoing the ride to contest the World Super Jockeys Series in Japan and leaving Moreira to taste defeat in the biggest upset of the season, Divine Calling being beaten into third as long odds-on favourite by All You Wish in the Chevalier Cup.
Millard said the choice to go with Moreira was made easy when Purton was forced to miss the meeting because of a six-day careless riding suspension, and was happy with the way his horse trialled for the Magic Man.
"Zac misses the day anyway, so in the end it was left to Joao really, and I'm glad he has taken the ride," Millard said. "It was a nice trial. He did what we wanted him to do and no more."
Divine Calling will be first-up for seven weeks after the unconvincing last-start display but yesterday's trial would have assuaged any doubts that the horse wasn't ready to produce his best.
Moreira allowed Divine Calling to travel in behind runners in the 1,000m turf trial, before pulling clear and zipping home over the last 200m for a close second behind Class One winner Dundonnell.
The South African trainer bristled at suggestions the Classic Mile was the best chance of success his horse had in the three-race four-year-old series, with some suggesting the son of Stratum is suspect beyond 1,600 metres.
"I wouldn't say that. We will take it as it comes race by race," Millard said.
