Though riding another treble including a brilliant ride on Fiery Patrol, another three-day suspension for an uh-oh steering effort- the Stipes got it absolutely right- aboard another winner in the David Hall-trained Bundle Of Joy, below, plus another $60,000 fine, makes us, as huge fans of the jockey, feel uneasy about the future of Joao Moreira in Hong Kong.

We say this as, yes, the cameo appearances must cease plus rumblings from the Chinese racing media and several local owners that he is being singled out for “the color of his skin”- huh???- hurt the image of racing, also ‘cos there is extremely strong “mail” that the brilliant Brazilian will be offered the top job as stable jockey for Godolphin.

Since Godolphin’s split with Frankie Dettori, the LOUDEST whisper in racing has been that our old mate Sheikh Mo is not happy with his current stable jockeys and that he has personally pointed his finger at the Magic Man and said, “Akmeed, get me some of that Brazilian magic”, or words to that effect.

Of course, offers are offers and taking them up are two very different things, and it remains to be seen if The Magic Man continues trying to fine-tune his bag of tricks and make it work in Hong Kong with this start-stop-start-stop-start-stop career out here, or wakes up one morning and sings the Roy Orbison classic, It’s Over.

If It’s Over is heard, it will be a very sad day with the real losers being Hong Kong racing fans as never before have they grown so attached, so quickly, to a jockey who is a Rock star, Nice Guy, Ayrton Senna and Ronaldo, all combined, who first turned horse racing on its head in Brazil where he was known as “The Ghost” for popping up outta nowhere and winning races, and then as The Magic Man in Singapore for winning on horses that no one had ever won on before.

Of course, racing in Singapore and riding in Hong Kong are two extremely different things- Hong Kong acknowledges it has racing- and with his kids’ schooling out here sorted out, his understanding that the Stipes are simply doing their jobs and riding against some of the best and most international group of jockeys in the world- and winning against them- we reckon Joao Moreira is a stayer.

Fingers and nuts- Brazilian nuts- firmly crossed.

SHORT CUTS

What’s all this talk about Michael Rodd, below, coming out to ride in Hong Kong and, we weren’t there, but a LOUD rumor from the Racevine at the races on Wednesday night that a high profile HKJC Steward is leaving?

Meanwhile, we’re very glad to hear that Darren Beadman has had his insurance claim finally settled and hope that his new role with Darley doesn’t muddy the waters.

The Dazzler deserves better than that after all he’s gone through and done for racing, and trying to deprive anyone of their livelihood are legal eagles stooping to even new lows…

AS EASY AS A,B,C AND THE JACKSON…FOUR???

Many in racing who, for various reasons, attend the annual December charity gig for a good cause- the orphans of Po Leung Kuk- and held at Hong Kong’s Foreign Correspondents Club, better sit down and contain their excitement.

After years of seeing acts like Creedence Clearwater Revival without John Fogerty, the Doobies minus Michael McDonald, some “supergroup” made up of unknowns from equally unknown Rock bands, this year’s act beats them all: Ladies and Gentlemen, prepare yourself for The Jackson 4.

Guess Tito couldn’t make it and let’s hope LaToya is not part of the four.