By Bren O'Brien
Hong Kong superstar Joao Moreira looks set to get a chance to avenge his heartbreak of three years ago, with the Brazilian-born jockey on standby to ride Melbourne Cup favourite Constantinople (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
Glen Boss was handed the ride on the Lindsay Park-trained import, replacing Luke Nolen, who rode him when an unlucky fourth in the G1 Caulfield Cup.
However, Boss was suspended for six days for careless riding aboard Attention Run (Ger) (Hurricane Run {Ire}) in Saturday's Listed Tattersalls Club Cup at Randwick, with the suspension set to start on the day before the Melbourne Cup.
Glen Boss could opt to take the suspension earlier, but it would mean he would miss the ride on G1 Epsom H. winner Kolding (NZ)
He could opt to take the suspension earlier, but it would mean he would miss the ride on G1 Epsom H. winner Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) in the inaugural running of the $7.5 million Golden Eagle at Rosehill next Saturday.
He has until Monday to appeal the suspension, but any reduction is unlikely to allow him to ride in the famous Flemington $8 million handicap.
Moreira will now take the ride on Constantinople in the Cup should Boss be unavailable, in what would be his fourth ride in the race.
Moreira was second on Heartbreak City (Fr) (Lando {Ger}) in the 2016 edition of the race, beaten narrowly by Almandin (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}), while he was 14th on The United States (Galileo {Ire}) in 2015 and fourth on Signoff (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}) in 2014.
Joao Moreira aboard Catchy winning the G2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint at Randwick
He last rode in Australia in April 2018, winning aboard Catchy (Fastnet Rock) in the G2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint at Randwick, while the most recent of his four Group 1 wins in Australia came on Sheidel (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) in the 2017 Oakleigh Plate.
Lindsay Park has confirmed that veteran jockey Dwayne Dunn will ride its other hope Rostropovich (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the Melbourne Cup.
Another international superstar, Frankie Dettori will ride the Joseph O'Brien-trained Master Of Reality (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in the Melbourne Cup, looking to win one of the few races to elude him in the world stage.
He was runner-up on Max Dynamite (Fr) (Great Journey {Jpn}) in the 2015 Melbourne Cup.
The Joseph O'Brien-trained Master Of Reality (Ire) will be ridden by Frankie Dettori
Pat Cosgrave is to ride stablemate Twilight Payment (Teofilo {Ire}) while James McDonald will ride Latrobe (Ire) (Camelot {GB}).
Aidan O'Brien has three runners set to contest the Cup, with Ryan Moore set to partner G2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup winner Hunting Horn (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), while Il Paradiso (USA) (Galileo {Ire}) will be ridden by Wayne Lordan. Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is set to back up from the Cox Plate with Seamie Heffernan likely to take the ride, although Moore would have the choice of which one he rides.
Ryan Moore may partner again with Hunting Horn (Ire)
With Kerrin McEvoy having committed to ride Finche (GB) (Frankel {GB}), last year's winner Cross Counter (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}), will be ridden by James Doyle with William Buick set to partner his Charlie Appleby stablemate Ispolini (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).
Brett Prebble has secured the ride on Steel Prince (Ire) (Nathanial {Ire}).
Third declarations for the race are taken on Monday with Godolphin's Australian-trained hope Avilius (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) among those whose names won't feature after trainer James Cummigns opted to send him to the paddock.
