Joao Moreira is hoping Satono Reve can put up a big fight against “outstanding” sprint star Ka Ying Rising in Sunday’s Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) at Sha Tin.

Moreira, affectionately known as the “Magic Man”, will partner Japanese shipper Satono Reve in the HK$22 million feature on Champions’ Day.

Moreira and Satono Reve have already done battle with heavy favourite Ka Ying Rising, with the world’s best sprinter coming out on top by three-quarters of a length in the Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m) in December.

Satono Reve has since returned to Japan, where he was an impressive winner of the Group One Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1,200m) at Chukyo in March.

Overturning the deficit will be no easy task, but Moreira has plenty of faith that Noriyuki Hori’s six-year-old will put up another game performance.

“It was an impressive win in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen,” said Moreira. “He will need to improve a little bit on his form from back in December as this is very competitive, but I think he has done that already.

“I sat on him on Thursday morning and had a good look with him. I can’t see a reason he won’t perform.

“I think just having time for this horse to mature and have the experience could make the difference, but it’s very hard to beat Ka Ying Rising.

“He’s one of the best sprinters in the world and wherever he goes he has to be respected. I’ve been away but I’ve been watching the races here and we can see he’s been outstanding – he deserves all our respect.

“It’s going to be hard to go past him, but I still have to have faith in my horse. He’s a good horse and I hope we can put on a good show.”

Moreira has been a fan favourite in Hong Kong down the years, but he would go down as a bit of a villain if Satono Reve lowered the colours of Ka Ying Rising. That’s a role that Moreira doesn’t mind, however, as long as it’s a fair fight.

“I definitely don’t mind being the party pooper,” said Moreira. “At the end of the day I respect the people and the horse. He deserves all the credit he has been getting and he has been amazing for Hong Kong and the sport.

“But it’s the job of the other jockeys who aren’t riding him to try and beat him. I’ll try to do it in a fair way and the best horse wins on the day.”

Trainer Hori has enjoyed plenty of success in Hong Kong with a handful of runners, winning a trio of elite-level races with Maurice and the 2017 Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) with Neorealism.

Moreira has a huge amount of respect for the 57-year-old, who certainly isn’t afraid to send his horses abroad for the big occasion.

“Hori is very intelligent,” said Moreira. “He knows where to place his horses well. He’s been getting good support from good owners in Japan and isn’t scared to travel.

“I think [Satono Reve’s] win last time was better form than what he showed in December. It’s quite surprising for a horse to peak at the age of six and is a great piece of training.”

Moreira has ridden plenty of great sprinters down the years, but there is one that sticks out in his mind as the best he’s ridden so far.

“Beat The Clock has to be the best sprinter I’ve ridden,” Moreira said of the John Size-trained speedster. “He won four Group One races, including the Chairman’s Sprint, but he was a difficult horse to ride.

“It took me a long time to learn about him and really know how to get the best out of him. When we actually understood him, he was always delivering and I have some great memories about that guy.”