Moreira to ride Flying Artie in Newmarket

Joao Moreira has already won the Oakleigh Plate in Melbourne this carnival and gets the chance to add a second Newmarket Handicap to his record on Flying Artie.

With Flying Artie expected to get a weight below jockey Damien Oliver’s range, connections of the Mick Price-trained colt have booked Moreira for the ride in Saturday week’s 1200m handicap.

Weights for the Newmarket will be released on Tuesday with multiple Group One winner Chautauqua expected to head the handicaps, with 31 horses still among the entries.

Things didn’t go to plan for Flying Artie first-up in the Lightning Stakes when he was unplaced but the colt has a Group One win over the Flemington 1200m straight course in last year’s Coolmore Stud Stakes.

Moreira won the 2015 Newmarket on another three-year-old, Brazen Beau, while on Saturday he won the Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield on Sheidel.

Hong Kong’s champion jockey, Moreira will be in Sydney on Saturday when his rides include Comin’ Through in the Group One Randwick Guineas.