Jockey Joao Moreira thanks God for Melbourne Cup ride on Signoff Joao Moreira after riding his victory on Brazen Beau in the Coolmore Stakes on Saturday. When Joao Moreira flew into Hong Kong on Sunday morning for 10 rides at the local Sha Tin race meeting, the jockey was still coming to terms with suddenly becoming a major player in the $6.2 million Melbourne Cup. On Saturday, Australian racegoers saw firsthand why the Brazilian is rated the best jockey in the world with his winning double. After finishing a light breakfast following his overnight flight, Moreira put in a formal request to Hong Kong officials to be allowed to return for the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, a mission the jockey admits to being "passionate and excited" about. Everything started to fall into place soon after the country-trained stayer Signoff leapfrogged into the Cup field by winning the Lexus Stakes on Saturday. For that, Moreira, 31, a devout Catholic, thanks God. So many people have helped me on my way but God has given me health and the ability to show that I can ride horses well, and I think he's probably got a lot to do with getting the ride on Signoff. I thank God for so many things. I have been so fortunate, my wife and my two children have good health and we have a wonderful family life. Taciana never gets cranky when I have to come away to places like Australia. I always try to spend as much time helping with the children at home; they are one year and six year and they are pretty tricky ages. "And to think two weeks ago I had never heard of Signoff and didn't think I'd ever get a ride in this year's Cup," he said. The youngest of eight, Moreira said his faith had done much for his career and he maintains that a Melbourne Cup win would be a career-defining win. We only have one 3200-metre race a year in Brazil and I've won that twice. But I always maintain that distance racing is far more challenging than sprint races. It makes a jockey great riding over great distances and winning. There's so much to think about. Are you in the right position? Are you getting the pace right? Are you making your move too early? All of those things go around in your head and it's a great achievement when you win after everything falls into place. But on Tuesday, I suddenly found myself in a great position to win my first Melbourne Cup. I told the trainer of Signoff that I have a great belief in the horse. He's kind, strong and stays well, all the things you need to have on your side. Plus he's got a very light weight and you really can't ask for much more," he said. Moreira will only have one ride on Cup day, but judging by his winning double on Saturday, he already has a strong feel for the make-up of the Flemington racecourse. Signoff is one of the best weighted horses in the race, gaining a ballot-free entry into the Cup with his win in the Lexus, and only had a one-kilogram penalty to contend with. Moreira will fly out again on Monday night from Hong Kong, where he's the leading jockey with 21 winners for the season, one ahead of Zac Purton, who will be aboard Cup favourite Admire Rakti.