3 minute read
Geoff Allendorf enjoyed his best day ever as a trainer with a sparkling four timer on Saturday’s pre Christmas turf race day.
Allendorf got off the mark quickly in race one the Class 4 & 5 over 1200 metres with his highly promising Beauty Wink , who bolted away from his opponents to win eased down by jockey Ruan Maia by three and a half lengths over Cheerful Fish (Peter Lao), with Sweet Buhman (Peter Ho) in third.
Beauty Wink is a four year old son of Medaglia D'Oro (Aus) who was originally earmarked for Hong Kong after two stylish barrier trial wins at Cranbourne. However the gelding was found to be blind in the offside eye which even ended his racing career in Australia. Macau is one of the few racing jurisdictions worldwide that accepts one eyed horses for competition, and Allendorf was fortunate enough to have the gelding land in his stables.
Luen On Dance Kid was the second of Allendorf's winners under Oscar Chavez when he bounced back to winning form with a strong win in the Class 2 over 1500 metres.
The chestnut son of Snitzel (Aus) made it win number seven in Macau with six placings from his 21 starts and close to $1.8 million HKD in prize money. No bad for a A$14,000 purchase at the 2017 Inglis Melbourne Tried Horse Sales for owner Mr. Thomas Lau Pong Sing.
The ultra consistent Highspot was an unexpected winner for the Allendorf when he enjoyed the run the run of the race under J B Hamel to win the Class 5 & 6 over 1800 metres.
Allendorf's day was completed when another of his exciting newcomers Draft Camp powered home under Oscar Chavez to win the last of the day the Class 2 & 3 over 1200 metres.
Draft Camp made it two on end when he beat Fortune Paradise (Dayversom Barros), with Gem Glory (Luis Corrales) running in third.
"It's been a great day and a nice early Christmas present that's for sure." Allendorf said.
"I thought I had some great chances in a lot of races and it's worked out fine. Beauty Wink is still improving and will run a lot further later on."
"Luen On Dance Kid is always very honest and he was always going to get the run of the race. Highspot a nice surprise for sure. His only other run at 1800 metres it was a very heavy track and hard to make ground from the back. Today a better track and a good draw and a good ride was the difference.
"Draft Camp my last winner is a really nice new horse and we again got the run of the race. The only disappointment of the day was Luen On Poseidon in race four. He was chopped out at the start and lost three or four lengths and then never got a clear run in the straight. Great effort only beaten two lengths."
"I could not be happier with the way things are going and my thanks to my owners for their support and patience."
After the weekend Allendorf moves into second spot on the trainers standings on 13 wins for the season six behind Tony Fung who is on 19 victories.
One of the biggest wins of the weekend was the Wayne Smith prepared Star Of Yiu Cheung who absolutely demolished his rivals in the Friday nights Class 4 over 1350 metres on the all weather.
Ridden by Horace Lam, Star Of Yiu Cheung gave nothing else a hope leading easily on the bridle before racing away in the straight for a six lengths win over Master Starkiller (Fausto Henrique), with Lucky Pearl (Oscar Chavez) in third.
The victory by Star Of Yiu Cheung gave Wayne Smith his third winner as a trainer since he switched over to his new vocation in September, after a wonderful international career as a jockey that took him right around the world.
Star Of Yiu Cheung is an ex Aquis Farm galloper that was recommended to Smith by Aquis farm CEO Shane McGrath as a horse that could kickstart his training career.
The four year old is by Casino Prince (Aus) from the Charge Forward (Aus) mare Call Collect. The gelding won on debut over 1200 metres on the turf beating the smart Beauty Wink in 1.08.8, and now has proven his versatility with a big win on the sand.
Judging by Friday nights win it's onwards and upwards for Smith and Star Of Yiu Cheung.
