Hot off an International Jockeys’ Championship victory alongside Tom Marquand, Brazilian hoop Silvestre De Sousa has his eyes firmly set on Group 1 victory at Sha Tin on Sunday.
The 12-time Group 1 winning jockey currently sits third in the Hong Kong Jockeys’ Premiership on 19 wins, but has had a few suspensions already this season.
Formerly based in Britain, De Sousa has done plenty of hit-and-run missions to Hong Kong throughout his career, including winning the 2018 edition of the International Jockeys’ Championship and the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) that same week.
De Sousa is now permanantly in Hong Kong and has even surprised himself at how quickly he has made an impact.
“I thought it was going to be slow to be honest,” said De Sousa.
“It’s going okay, sometimes you get a suspension or a setback and you have to recoup again.
“Luckily, I have been very lucky with the support I’ve been getting.
“It is very tough and very different. At home I have my agent that does everything, but over here there is something to do every day.
“If you miss the kick then they’ll pass you. Hong Kong is a very fast paced. Everything is different.”
The Brazilian has a ride in all four Group 1 events at Sha Tin on Sunday, with the first of those being Butterfield in the Hong Kong Vase (2400m).
The seven-year-old hasn’t won since May 2021, but has run some good races over the longer distance in recent times.
De Sousa will then move to the Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) where he partners the improving Cordyceps Six for RIchard Gibson.
The two-time IJC victor says the gelding still has plenty more to come.
“He’s a lovely horse going forward,” he said.
“Richard (Gibson, trainer) is happy with him, obviously he has the stablemate which is the one to beat, to me, but he should be there to shake things up.
“He was an improving horse last year, he improved very quickly and he did very well as a three-year-old.
“I think he’s going well and he was just a bit unlucky when he got beaten over the 1000m.
“He’s an improving horse and I think the race is going to bring him on.”
De Sousa’s other rides for the afternoon include Waikuku in the Hong Kong Mile (1600m) and Money Catcher in the Hong Kong Cup (2000m).
Waikuku is currently a $26 chance to upset superstar Golden Sixty once again, while Money Catcher is currently a $41 hope.
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