3 minute read

Luis Corrales is really giving his rivals something to chase after a brilliant weekend of riding, kicking home five winners, and stretching his lead to seven wins (38 to 31), over Eric Cheung in the Jockeys Premiership race.

Corrales who is shooting for his sixth Macau Championship title, was in dashing form on the sand Friday night with three winners, then capped the weekend off with another two on the turf Saturday. 

Shooting To Pins  was the first of Corrales winners Friday night, when he came with a late surge through the centre of the pack, to win the Class 6 over 1350 metres for trainer Rambo Tse. 

Two races later Corrales made it back-to-back wins with Sheng Li Superstar who scored his 10th win in the enclave, with a sterling performance in the Class 1 & 2 over 1510 metres. 

Prepared by Stanley Chin, Sheng Li Superstar  arrived in Macau on a rating of 65, and after eight wins was considered one of Macau's finest, and had taken himself to a mark of 123 points. The six-year-old bay then put in two out of character performances late last year, resulting in him being spelled.

"He has never had any health issues and is a very easy horse to train. He just simply peaked after a year of first-class performances and eight wins, and he just lost interest."

"We gave him a few months off, and he has come back fresh and as good as ever to win two races straight. We are very proud of him; he has won ten races now from 1050 to 1510 on the sand, and a Group 2 win in the Spring Trophy on the turf."

Sheng Li Superstar is a former Qatar Bloodstock galloper who raced in Victoria as Westerly Wind, when trained by Henry Dwyer. The son of the unbeaten Harbour Watch (Ire) won a Geelong maiden by six lengths, and placed twice more from only four starts before being sold to Macau owner Mr. Frank Wong. His record in the enclave now reads 10 – 2 – 3 from 26 starts and he is creeping close to the $3 million dollar mark in prize money. 

Tuhao Choice  from the Sio Cheong yard capped off Corrales' night when he put the nose down right on the line to snatch victory from Rose Hero (Roger Yu) in a cracking finish in the Class 3 over 1350 metres.  

On Saturday Circuit Miles from the Nick Moore yard gave the Panamanian rider his fourth winner for the weekend, when he sprinted away from his rivals in the Class 3 & 4 over 1800 metres. 

Circuit Miles  is a former Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained galloper that raced in Australia as Hey Mighty.  Purchased for A$500,000 at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sales, the son of Fastnet Rock (Aus) won a 2YO maiden at Kembla Grange before campaigning in Victoria, where he managed to place second over 1600 metres at Sandown. The gelding was then sold through the 2020 Inglis Online sales for A$85,000 to owner Mr. Ngo Tai Tak. 

Saturday's win was impressive, and there is more in store with no doubt a Derby start in mind, for the good looking four-year-old bay. 

Victor Chan Chun Fai's Rivalry rounded out Corrales' weekend when he burst out of the pack late, to win the Class 4 over 1200 metres, to make it five winners over the two days for the likable jockey.

Geoff Allendorf was in the winner's circle on Saturday picking up a double with Luen On Poseidon and Turquoise Success.

Luen On Poseidon  scored his fifth win in Macau when he produced a powerful finishing burst under Brazilian rider Fausto Henrique, to win the Class 2 over 1200 metres.

Allendorf went within a nose of landing the quinella with his other runner Oneofthegreats (Stephane Ladjadj), just being edged out of second by Destiny's Choice (Eric Cheung).

Turquoise Success gave Allendorf his double for the day when he led throughout under Japanese rider Masa Tanaka to win the Class 4 & 5 over 1500 metres.

Turquoise Success has always worked and trialed like a high-class performer, but had been a disappointment race day often going too far hard in his races, and was still a maiden after 12 starts.  In bold move Allendorf stepped the son of All Too Hard (Aus) up to 1500 metres, and whilst still racing fiercely he was able to hold on and win.  Next up he was just caught late after over racing again at the 1500 metres. Saturday though was a different story with the four-year-old relaxing a lot better under Tanaka, and was able to race away to win by four- and three-quarter lengths at the line.

Masa Tanaka enjoyed a good weekend winning four races to take him to 26 winners for the season, and third spot on the rider standings.

Tanaka won the last on Friday night the Class 3 & 4 over 1050 metres on Stadium, prepared by the combined stable of Tommy Tse and Louis Ho.

On Saturday Tanaka struck early winning the first of the day the Class 6 over 1200 metres, on House Of Power for trainer Stephen Chow.  Éclair Boom from the Peter Leyshan yard was the next winner for Tanaka, after he gave the Spirit Of Boom (Aus) gelding a lovely front running ride, in the 1st Division of the Class 4 & 5 over 1500 metres.

Tanaka notched up his treble for the day with another perfectly rated ride on Turquoise Success for Geoff Allendorf, in the 2nd Division of the Class 4 & 5 over 1500 metres.

Tanaka had been the noticeable improver this season, and has been steadily climbing up the jockey's ladder having won 19 races since January.