John Moore will train with his brother Gary out of Rosehill in Sydney next season after striking a deal with the Australian Turf Club (ATC).

Moore, who is being forced into retirement by the Jockey Club at the end of the season, had planned to return to Sydney to train but hit a roadblock earlier this month when he was told by the ATC he would only be allocated four boxes while Gary would be forced to give up his existing stables to other trainers.

“It’s like giving the late Sir Henry Cecil four boxes at Warren Place Newmarket,” a livid Gary tweeted at the time.

Left with the prospect of having to train from a different location, Moore said the issue was recently “sorted”, revealing the ATC had allowed them to keep 20 boxes.

“The ATC has told those trainers that were looking to get stables at Rosehill that Gary will now retain his stables he has now,” he said.

Zac Purton wins on Thanks Forever.

“Everything did fall into place after what could have been a huge hiccup. At the moment we have 20 boxes which is what we wanted.

“I am really very thankful to the ATC for giving us the opportunity to retain what we have already got and now let’s kick on and train some winners.”

Moore said they will be subjected to key performance indicators each month to retain their boxes.

The legendary trainer will saddle up the leading hope in Sunday’s Group Three Premier Cup (1,400m) as he looks to depart Hong Kong on a high.

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Thanks Forever, ridden by Zac Purton, is set to start favourite in the five-horse contest and Moore believes there is no reason punters should fear a boil over.

“A lot of people speak about the small fields, the bigger chance of an upset but when you think about it I’d rather a five-horse field over a 14,” he said.

“I always think that, you look at Royal Ascot with all those runners, I’d be more worried about that rather than a five-horse field.”

The four-year-old has been a model of consistency in his 11 starts this term and Moore believes there is enough left in the tank to carry the top weight of 133 pounds in Sunday’s contest.

A huge gulf in the ratings means Thanks Forever – a Group One placegetter – will give his nearest rival Fat Turtle a 15-pound advantage.

“I believe he will get 1,400m, I know he is carrying the top weight and so forth but there is a big gap between Thanks Forever and the rest of them,” he said.

“He has been up for a while but not over-raced, he hasn’t had a tough campaign. In this five-horse race, I don’t see him getting in trouble.”

Jumping from the widest barrier, Moore said he expects Purton to go back to near last with what he believes will be a “muddling” speed.

“We will be going back that is for sure, we won’t be up on the speed or anything,” he said.

“He is a late-maturing horse, he was never comfortable among horses but I think that is all behind him now.

John Moore at Sha Tin.

“He will be back running last, two or three lengths off the lead and I am sure there will be something muddling up front.”

Looking to leave Hong Kong with a flurry of winners, Moore has runners in 10 of the 11 races on Sunday.

The 70-year-old will also saddle up Savvy Nine in the Group Three Premier Plate Handicap (1,800m) who will run out of the handicap due to Southern Legend carrying the top weight.

Moore’s two-time Griffin winner Like That will also make the move into open company for the first time in the Class Three Aquamarine Handicap (1,200m). 

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