The Geoff Allendorf prepared Luen On Treasure stamped himself as a legitimate Derby contender with a big win in Sundays Class 3 & 4 Handicap over 1800 metres on the turf.

Allendorf won his first Macau Derby in 2013 with Lucky And Wealthy ridden by German rider Andreas Helfenbein, then picked up his second win in the race with Joao Moreira winning on Turquoise Power in 2016.

Luen On Treasure a son of Dane Shadow (Aus), was given a perfect ride by regular jockey Andrew Calder in Sunday’s race, cruising along in sixth spot in the run against the rail. Once an opening presented before the turn Calder was quick to utilize it, and then stepped away from the tiring leader Lucky And Wealthy to power home over the last two hundred for a runaway win.

Luen On Treasure still has a little way to go ratings wise to guarantee a Derby spot, but the fact that he is a winner over the Derby distance bodes well for the gelding. Add to that his run time of 1.49.2 which is the quickest seen in a long time for that rating band, you would think he would have no problems winning again at the trip to secure a Derby berth.

Jockey Andrew Calder was full of praise for the four year old and considers him a real contender for the race which is set down for July 28 this year.

“I was very impressed with the turn of foot he showed at his first try 1800 metres, especially after being a little fired up early. “

“If he could sneak into the Derby field any rain would enhance his chances. Not a big horse but he does try hard.”

Luen On Treasure is another successful graduate from the Macau Jockey Clubs Online Sales concept. The bay gelding was a $60,000 NZD purchase at the 2015 Karaka Ready Run Sales and has now won four races and placed five times in his 18 runs to date. After Sunday’s win he is nudging the $1 Million dollar mark in prize money for owner Mr. Thomas Lau.

The win by Luen On Treasure bought up a double for the afternoon for Thomas Lau, Geoff Allendorf and Andrew Calder.

The very promising Luen On Dance Kid got the trio off to a good start winning the first of the day the 3 & 4YO Handicap 0 to 55 rating band over 1200 metres. The three year old chestnut son of Snitzel (Aus) made it two wins from as many starts and looks to have a nice future ahead of him.

“He had to work a little from the wide gate and he is still learning his craft but he is a nice actioned horse and it was good to see him respond when put under pressure.” Andrew Calder said after the win.

Luen On Dance Kid was originally an $180,000 NZD purchase at the 2016 Karaka Premier Yearling for the China Horse Club. Under the banner of the Aquis Farm Group the then colt had two trials for Team Snowden in Sydney where he failed dismally before being sent to Kris Lees at Newcastle.

After winning a trial at Newcastle the chestnut was put through Magic Millions Tried Horse Sale in October last year, where Geoff Allendorf picked him up for a song on behalf of Thomas Lau paying only $14,000 Aud for the son of Snitzel, who is out of a Sadler’s Wells mare in Dance My Dance.

“At that price he was well worth the risk and now he has won his first two starts. He is still learning and he looks he might develop into something handy.” Allendorf said.

The speedy Mister Kaopu (Luis Corrales) returned to the winners circle in grand fashion on Sunday when he sped away from his rivals at the one fifty mark to win by two and a quarter lengths in the slick time of 1.07.9, which equaled his personal best time for the distance set back in July last year.

Prepared by James Moore, Mister Kaopu has always been a class act from day one on Macau. He had won five and placed four times for his original trainer K H Leong. The gelding lost form after his last win back in July, and was transferred to Sio Cheong for three runs which were still below par, before being moved to the Moore yard a month back.

The win was a the first leg of a double for Luis Corrales who later one made a one act affair of the final event the Class 2 & 3 over 1200 metres on Winter Snow.

Winter Snow began quickly from his inside gate and led comfortably before powering away at the two hundred for a big win over Golden Thumb (Peter Ho), with Mission Gdragon (Horace Lam) in third.

Early in the day Macau’s newest jockey Fausto Henrique kicked home his second winner in the enclave when he gave the Stephen Chow trained One More Again a perfect front running ride to lead throughout in the Class 4 & 5 over 1500 metres.

Henrique who is only 22 years of age did his apprenticeship at the Rio de Janeiro Jockey School in 2012 and was granted a jockeys’ license in 2013. Since then he has ridden in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Bahrain. A lightweight that can ride comfortably at 118 pounds, Henrique has 273 winners to his credit and has impressed all with his riding in the five race days he has ridden here.

South African rider Martin Wepner stole the show on Saturday’s sand program winning three of the six races for the afternoon.

Wepner started his day on the Victor Chan - Kenny Seo trained Altered who came with a late charge to win the Class 4 over 1510 metres.

The Alan Tam prepared Best Double gave Wepner a quick race to race double when he found plenty in the run to the line to take out the Class 6 over 1050 metres. Alan Tam quinelled the race with stablemate Cheerful Companion (Sourien Meneanen) running into second spot.

James Moore’s flying machine Fasuba capped off Wepner’s afternoon when he made light work of his wide gate of 12 to run his opposition of their legs to win the Class 2 over 1050 metres.

Fasuba an Irish import has now won three races from three starts since arriving in Macau. By the Irish 2000 Guineas winner from 2012 in Power, Fasuba is not a big horse but is a very powerfully built short backed horse that has speed to burn.

James Moore’s long range plan is to try and gain a run in the Group 3 National Day Cup over the straight 1000 metres at Sha Tin in October.