Macau’s former top racehorse and 2015 SJM Derby Winner The Alfonso has returned to the winner’s circle with a super win in Saturdays Group 2 Director’s Cup to give trainer Joe Lau his third victory in the time honored event over 1500 metres (turf).

Ridden by regular jockey Luis Corrales, it was The Alfonso of old as he flew down the outside with his powerful trademark finish to win running away by almost two lengths from Obrigado Mais (Wayne Smith), with River Control (Peter Ho) in third.

Prepared by Macau’s master conditioner Joe Lau, The Alfonso had been out of the winners circle since January 2017 when he easily won the Winter Trophy (Group 2) over 1800 metres.

A game second to Romantic Touch in the Macau-Hong Kong Trophy over 1500 metres followed that in May, before an enforced lay off for eight months due to suspensory ligament issues. The seven year entire returned in January this year with an eye catching run over 1050 metres on the sand before tackling the Macau-Hong Kong Trophy again finishing a well beaten 10th behind Romantic Touch.

On Saturday it was a meaner and leaner The Alfonso that stepped out having signaled his intentions with a sparkling second in a barrier trial 10 days earlier. In a race run at cracking speed due to the tempo set up by Oh So Easy and Wonder Mossman, The Alfonso was back third last approaching the turn before angling out into the clear still ten lengths off them at the top of the straight. Once balanced up the big bay really hit this stride and charged down the outside to victory.

Jockey Luis Corrales who has been on top of The Alfonso in five of his seven race wins was elated at the return to form of his favorite horse, and said that there were still better things ahead for the impressive looking son of Magnus (Aus).

“I know this horse really well. For me he is only still about seventy percent there is still more improvement in him.”

“He was a bit big after all the time off and needed those first two runs back.” Corrales added.

“He’ll be even better next time.”

Joe Lau was delighted to see his star galloper back in the winner’s circle and has stated that he will just focus on the local Cup races from here on in.

“He’s an entire seven year old rising eight. We took him to Hong Kong the last two years and he ran Dashing Fellow to a neck in Group 3 at his best but I don’t want to risk him traveling now.”

“Plus he will have to carry a lot of weight there against good horses.”

“The Grand Lisboa is coming up in July and then the Macau Gold Cup in August. Then we will just race in whatever suitable races we can.” Personal Best time

The Alfonso recorded a personal best time Saturday for the 1500 metres in 1.28.4, and it gave Joe Lau his third victory in the time honored Director’s Cup having first won the race in 2007 with his brilliant galloper Crown’s Master and again in 2011 with St Peter’s Gift.

Former Melbourne galloper Winter Snow scored his third win in Macau when he hit the line well to win the afternoons second feature race the University Of Macau Alumni Association Cup over 1200 metres.

It was another nicely judged ride by Luis Corrales who after being one of the first to break away from the gates, was content to bide his time back in third some four lengths off the tearaway leader Niubi Emperor. Once in the straight Winter Snow hit top gear and the four year produced a strong finish to win from Californiatreasure (Fausto Henrique), with Bow Noculars (Peter Ho) in third.

Winter Snow is a former Ciaron Maher prepared horse that raced as Havildar having won a race at Sandown from only four runs in Victoria before being exported to Macau.

The son of Sepoy (Aus) gave trainer Danny Won his 24th winner for the season and he now leads Tony Fung by four wins in the Trainer’s Premiership, with Stanley Chin in third spot on 17 victories.

A Perfect front running ride by Peter Ho sealed victory for One More Again in the days’ third feature race the Selangor Turf Club Goodwill Cup over 1500 metres.

Ho was positive away from the gates and quick to show his rival jockeys he was intent on leading. Once in command he continued to slow the tempo to a nicety and stacked the field up in the back with only five lengths top to bottom. With no pressure on him he was able to kept them compact behind him until heads were turned for home when he shot away with winning break and had enough in hand to hold off the fast finishing race favorite Big Alloy (Oscar Chavez), who had a tough job coming from the tail of the field with the slow tempo. Ready Fire (Fausto Henrique) ran on very strongly for third.

Prepared by Stephen Chow One More Again has now won three races in the enclave and there are more wins in store in the mid grade for the son of Gallant Guru (Aus).

Peter Ho shared riding honors for the afternoon with Luis Corrales with both riders kicking home a double.