Master trainer Joe Lau unveiled his Derby contender on Friday night when Sacred Capital overcame difficulties to score a superb win in the Class 2 & 3 over 1200 metres.

In a race marred by a lengthy delay at the start when the longshot Full Score became fractious in the gates and dislodged his bridle, Sacred Capital who was the first loaded to his inside barrier, was left badly flat footed when the starter finally released the field losing at least six lengths. Fortunately jockey Peter Ho was able to fire the four year old up quickly to drive through into a perfect trail on the back of the leaders. Once in the straight Ho sent Sacred Capital after the tearaway leader To’s Family (Ruan Maia), and was able to down him right on the line to win by a neck, with Luen On Eagle (Fausto Henrique) close up in third.

Joe Lau long recognized as the doyen of trainer’s in Macau, won his first Derby in 2015 by a big space with The Alfonso under Nash Rawiller, and then added his second in 2017 when Zac Purton guided Sacred Man to a massive eight and a half lengths win.  Sacred Capital arrives with much stronger credentials then both The Alfonso and Sacred Man having acquitted himself admirably in races like the Group 2 Autumn Classic at Caulfield, and the Group 3 Carbine Club where he was only beaten 1.7 lengths by the ATC Derby winner Levendi.

Sacred Capital a handsome looking son of O’Reilly (NZ) from the Savabeel (NZ) mare Honolulu was originally prepared at Caulfield by Ciaron Maher. His only win in Australia was an easy five length victory at Wangaratta before trying his hand at the black type races.  Following that the gelding was purchased by Raffles Farm (NZ) Supremo Dato K S Yap and Chen Chin Lung who raced both The Alfonso and Sacred Man in partnership.

Friday night’s 1200 metres was no doubt a little on the sharp side for Sacred Capital who was only really getting into his work late. He will no doubt much better suited over further given his stellar performances over 1600 and 1800 metres in Australia.

Oscar Chavez has firmly established himself on the Macau racing scene and again displayed his wonderful riding skills to land a winning double on Friday night’s turf program.

Chavez on both occasions took the short way home the first being on Rose Gold Alloy from the combined stable of Victor Chan and Kenny Seo in the Class 2 over 1800 metres.  Rose Gold Alloy was put into a great spot sixth the rail in a race run at good speed. Coming to the home turn Chavez was badly in need of a run, however as they say, “patience is a virtue,” and it rang true for Chavez when first Sacred Man left the fence and then the leader Wonder Holy. That left a saloon passage right along the rails for Rose Gold Alloy who was able to lunge late and win by a neck from the 77/1 bolter Off The Bench (Eric Cheung), with second favorite Big Alloy (Ruan Maia) a nose way in third.

In the last of the night the Class 3 & 4 over 1500 metres Chavez again took the short road on the K H Leong trained Thunder Bear, who at odds of 28/1 blew away his more fancied rivals to win his third race for the season.  In fact the race proved to be a complete blowout for punters with Yings Fans (Horace Lam) running in second at 78/1 with the quinella paying a whopping $3105.00.

In both wins it was the riding skills of Chavez that was difference between winning and losing with his ground saving moves.

Chavez has long been in the top bracket of riders in Singapore and Malaysia since arriving there from Panama as a 20 year old in 1994. With over 500 winners in Singapore alone including a Singapore Derby in 1994 on Noble Spirits, it’s been a real win for the Macau Jockey Club to entice him to the enclave. Friday nights double came hot on the heels of a double the previous week aboard Luen On Dance Kid and Luen On Fortune for trainer Geoff Allendorf.