Ascoli Piceno has had six starts for four wins and two seconds, including a last-start group 1 triumph in blistering time over 1600m. She is looking to become the second consecutive Japanese horse to take out the Golden Eagle following last year’s win by Obamburumai.

Rival jockey Tommy Berry, who galloped fellow Japanese raider Corazon Beat behind Ascoli Piceno on Wednesday, was under no illusions which of the pair deserved top billing in the Golden Eagle on November 2.

“I think if Ascoli Piceno gets all the luck in running, we won’t be beating her – I don’t think anything will get close to her; she’s that good,” Berry said.

Moreira and Berry were the only two jockeys at Canterbury, where strict biosecurity protocols were in place to protect quarantine conditions for overseas horses. Both jockeys had to leave their clothes and riding gear outside the quarantine zone, then have a shower, with the doors locked for three minutes. Their mobile phones were scrubbed before being returned as they left the racetrack.

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Moreira has been riding in Japan and Brazil but is no stranger to Australia, where he has spent the past six weeks riding in Sydney and Melbourne, including victory on the Chris Waller-trained Buckeroo in the group 1 Underwood Stakes.

The only thing that could stop Ascoli Piceno, said Berry, was an inside barrier, where there was a chance she could run into traffic up the straight.

Unbeaten French horse Lazzat and English trainer William Haggas’ Lake Forest have also been preparing at Canterbury and are on track for the Golden Eagle.

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