Flames on knife-edge in Hong Kong

Champion jockey Joao Moreira reckons Dancing Flames will rise up the grades in Hong Kong but not before he has surgery in the off-season.

The Victorian-bred Equiano colt (pictured) is coming off a brilliant last-start win in the Ruby Hcp (1000m) clocking a super-quick 55.72s at Sha Tin. He shouldered 60.5kg to an on-pace victory that was at odds to his prior start when he missed the kick and was tailed off down the straight course.

“I put that bad start down to him being a colt,” Moreira explained. "He was moving his head around (in the barriers) and an operation would help.”

Trainer Danny Shum also believes it’s the key to further improvement at four next season. "I will talk to the owner but my suggestion is that he be gelded. He thinks a bit too much and is quite heavy.”

Initially named Equita in Australia, he had won a Cranbourne trial before Contract Racing accepted a bid on behalf of owner Tam Chau.

Swettenham Stud shuttler Equiano (Fr) sired Dancing Flames from Allegretto (Anabaa). She is a sister to Hong Kong Group 3 winner High Intelligent and is in foal to Swettenham sire Toronado (Ire).

In England, Equiano stakes winning sprinter The Tin Man has been nominated for the G3 Hackwood Stakes (1200m) at Newbury on July 16.