Sacred Capital has stamped himself as one of Macau’s best when he gave nothing else a chance by simply destroying his rivals in Sunday’s 28th running of the Macau Gold Cup over 1800 metres.

Ridden by Peter Ho, the $1.8 favorite was always traveling like a winner in the run one out and one back off the early leader the former Australia Group 2 winner Farson. It was evident a long way from home that the race was in his keeping ; Ho let the good looking son of O’Reilly stride up three deep outside the leaders at the top of the straight before cutting loose and powering away for an easy win.

Ho had his main opponent Pearl Green (Frankie Choi) safely locked away inside of him for the entire race and was off and gone before Pearl Green got into clear running; however it made no difference to last season’s Derby winner Pearl Green’s chances, as he was left standing in Sacred Capitals wake. Duke De Vega (Stephane Ladjadj) ran on well from the back for third.

Prepared by Macau’s master conditioner Joe Lau, Sacred Capital has now won six of his eights in Macau including the Group 2 Spring Trophy, the MJC 30th Anniversary Cup and the SJM Macau Derby last month. His only defeats have been a narrow loss over 1200 metres when second up to Lover Paradise, and another unplaced effort over 1200 when resuming after a hoof injury following a three month break.

“It was a big win that’s for sure and he is just a great horse. It’s easy to train horses like him.” Joe Lau said.

It was the typical modest reply that you’d expect from Lau, but the truth is it has not all been plain sailing for Sacred Capital who through an abscess on his hoof had to miss both the Derby Trial, and the Macau Guineas the main lead up races to the Derby.

“Yes he had some issues but fortunately we were able to get his hoof right even though it was a bit of a rush to get him fit for the Derby. “

“It’s been a great team effort overall and a big thanks to my stable team”

The win gave Lau his first ever victory in the Macau Gold Cup which is one of the few Macau features that have eluded him.

The final raceday of the season as always was The Macau Racehorse Owners Association Race Day and in spite of the day being overcast and rainy it did nothing to take the gloss off the day.

China Paradise was one that relished the very soft conditions to run them off their legs to win the Racehorse Associations Cup over 1200 metres.

Prepared by Tony Fung and ridden by Ruan Maia, China Paradise exploded away from the gates to set up a nice lead before bursting away at the two fifty to seal victory. Brilliant Debbie (J B Hamel) ran on very strongly from the back for second with Fortune Treasure (Shogo Nakano) in third.

Sixth Sense ridden by Frenchman Stephane Ladjadj made it three wins from his latest five starts when he produced a dazzling turn of foot to power home over the top of Trillion King (Luis Corrales) in the Racehorse Owners Association Bowl over 1500 metres.

Prepared by Peter Leyshan, Sixth Sense is a former Darley galloper that won a Listed 2YO race at Ascot in the UK for trainer Mark Johnston before succumbing to back problems. Leyshan picked the horse up cheaply at the Newmarket Tried Horse Sales taking a chance on him because of his breeding and looks.

It’s been a long patient wait but it’s all coming to fruition now and Sundays win suggests the son of Shamardal has plenty more in store.

Destiny’s Choice is a newcomer with a nice future after his strong win in the Racehorse Owners Association Plate over 1200 metres.

With C F (Charlie) Chan in the saddle Destiny’s Choice went home too strongly for the speedy Chapman Way (Kevin Leung) with Beautiful Creative (Shogo Nakano) finishing on from well back for third.

Trained in Macau by the partnership stable of Tommy Tse and Louis Ho, Destiny’s Choice won a Maiden race at Taree by five lengths when prepared by Tracy Bartley, and placed a further seven times before being sold onto Macau. The five year old son of Sepoy (Aus) will more than pay his way judging by Sunday’s win particularly on the rain affected tracks.

Brazilian Ruan Maia was once again crowned Champion Jockey on 71 wins, 19 victories clear of Luis Corrales on 52 with Peter Ho on third on 42 winners.

In taking out his second successive title Maia finished with the highest strike rate of 21% win and 52% place rate.

Stanley Chin picked up his first Champion Trainer’s Title with 52 winners 11 ahead of Sio Cheong on 41, with Danny Wong and Tony Fung in a tie for third on 38 wins.

Champion apprentice for the season was Eric Cheung on 24 winners. Cheung who is apprenticed to Stanley Chin did a fine job in his first full season, but unfortunately spent the last two months of the season on the sidelines with a fractured ankle