3 minute read

A bargain buy at the Inglis 2017 Melbourne March Tried Horse Sale has emerged as serious contender for next year’s 4YO classic races with a long range view to the Macau Derby.

Luen On Dance Kid an attractive looking chestnut son of Snitzel out of the Sadler’s Wells mare Dance My Dance, was purchased by trainer Geoff Allendorf on behalf on his longtime stable supporter Thomas Lau Pong Sing for the modest sum of $14,000 Australian dollars.

The now four year old has proved a revelation since arriving Macau, and on Friday night proved he was something really special in the way that he hit the line in the Class 2 over 1200 metres. Luen On Dance Kid bought an end to the winning run of the previously unbeaten on the turf Lover Paradise, who was shooting for six straight wins

Ridden by Oscar Chavez, Luen On Dance Kid was put into a lovely spot in the run to be sixth parked off a line of four horses on the lead including Lover Paradise. Jockey Peter Ho let Lover Paradise loose to zip away with a three length break at the two hundred and looked for all money about to notch up his sixth straight win on the turf. Luen On Dance Kid was still in fourth spot six off the leader at this point, however once Chavez bought him to the centre of the track and the chestnut hit his stride he literally sprouted wings the last one hundred to end up winning by a length on the line in 1.08.5.

“That was a great win I thought for a moment he wasn’t going to get there.” Geoff Allendorf said.

“He’s got a great turn of foot and really knows where the line is, he’s been a real bargain buy.”

“I was told by Gordon Benson that he was in the sale. He was an expensive yearling originally for the Aquis Farm group but proved a real handful as a colt and was disappointing. After he was gelded he won an average trial at Newcastle and they put him through the sale.”

“I’m just really stoked to have an owner as patient as Thomas Lau and that has been the key with this horse, a bit of time.”

Allendorf will chase the 4YO Classics and has not ruled out tackling a few of the major Cup races as well.

“If I can get his rating up a bit more there is no reason why I shouldn’t have crack at them.”

When asked about the Derby next July Allendorf had this to say.

”We’ll just take it slowly and see. He won easily over 1500 metres back in August and is a horse that can switch off in the run, so the 1800 of the Derby might be well within his reach.”

Luen On Dance Kid’s Macau record reads five wins, one second and two thirds from his eight starts, and after Friday night $893,000 HKD in prize money, a tidy sum for such a small outlay with happy days ahead.

The night didn’t end there for Geoff Allendorf and Thomas Lau, it was capped off later in the last race with a strong win by Luen On Fortune in the Class 3 & 4 over 1200 metres with Oscar Chavez again in the saddle.

Luen On Fortune a three year old son Fighting Sun (Aus) made it three wins on end with a runaway victory to register 1.08.8 just .03 slower than the stablemate Luen On Dance Kid’s time in the Class 2.

Luen On Fortune was not the bargain buy that Luen On Dance Kid was, having been knocked down to Thomas Lau /Geoff Allendorf for $70,000 Aud at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Ready To Run Sale last October; that said the bay/brown gelding oozes’ potential and the manner of Friday night’s win suggests he will be a formidable opponent in the 3YO Classic races next year.

“Another good win and good rides on both of them by Oscar (Chavez),”Allendorf said.

“Again it all comes back to having a good patient owner.”

“Bart Cummings said patience is the cheapest thing in racing and the least used, and it’s true.”

“With all our two years olds we leave them in Australia or New Zealand to be educated and spelled and bring them to Macau when they are just turning three. It’s worked well with every horse we’ve bought.”

“They are well rated as a three year old on 35 so it’s all up from there.”

Luen On Fortune has won three races from his four starts and close to $400,000HKD to date.

The former Australian galloper Éclair Sunshine was an impressive winner of the Class 2 & 3 over 1500 metres on Friday night giving visiting Japanese rider Shogo Nakano his second winner in the enclave.

Éclair Sunshine had only won a 2YO Handicap at Morphettville in South Australia when trained by Phillip Stokes; but had acquitted himself well in Group 3 races such as the Caulfield Guineas Prelude and the Red Anchor.

On Friday night the Japanese rider Nakano parked just off the early pace maker One More Again until well into the straight, before dashing away for a handsome victory. The son of All Too Hard (Aus) had three and a quarter lengths to spare on the line over One Belt One Road (Luis Corrales), with Roaring Star (Eric Cheung) back in third.

The four year old geldings run time of 1.27.2 suggest he will more than pay his way in Macau especially in the 1200 to 1500 metre events.