07 December 2023 , 05:23
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Ryan Moore has shed the pounds to be able to take the ride on star Aidan O’Brien filly Warm Heart this weekend.
With only 8st 5lb to carry in the £2.4 million Longines Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin on Sunday there was a question mark over whether Moore would be able to ride the double Group 1-winning filly,
In the last 12 months the lowest the world’s number one rider has ridden at is 8st 7lb.
But he has surprised trainer Aidan O’Brien by getting down to the racing weight, which means he will ride all four of the Ballydoyle trainers runners at the prestigious fixture.
Last month Moore cut short a stay in Japan after reportedly hurting his back in a fall. He was back in action in Hong Kong on Wednesday where he rode a winner on the Happy Valley card.
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Three-year-old Warm Heart, beaten a neck in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mares Turf on her last start, gets both age and sex allowances for her first start against males in the 1m4f race.
“She is very smart and progresses with every run,” said O’Brien. “There is a little light in her form to say she is better at a mile and a half than a mile and a quarter.
“She gets very well in at the weights and the next thing was would Ryan ride her or not. When you see Ryan doing 8st 5lb. Since he came to us, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him doing that.
“He got a fall in Japan as well and he had to get through that so it was great to see him ride a winner at Happy Valley last night. He said his weight is very good.
“When he comes over to ride he stays with us so I see what he does in the gym every day. Obviously when he had his mishap, he is probably not doing so much in the gym as he was and probably because of that he might be a little bit lighter. He says he is minding his food as well. He is in great form.”
The rest of the O’Brien team comprises Luxembourg in the Cup, Aesop’s Fables in the Sprint and Cairo in the Mile.
O’Brien’s three previous successes at the meeting were all in the Vase, Mogul providing the last win in 2020.
"I think there is no doubt it is the strongest team I have brought here,” he said. “It’s very difficult to win races here. You don’t come and win with second raters.”