MACAU: Moore Making His Move For Another Title

Tuesday, 3 July 2012: Gary Moore is hoping to put a lock on this season's Macau training premiership this weekend.

Gary Moore Photo by Press Photo

After two winners on last Saturday's card at Taipa Moore stretched his lead to eight wins over Alan Tam in the battle for premiership honors and the five time champion conditioner is looking to increase that margin this weekend.

With 13 race days left to the close of the season Moore will run a team of 12 horses over Friday night and Saturday's twilight card.

“This weekend is important for the stable.” Moore said.

“I have a lot of horses that are placed to advantage and part of my set plans, and with a bit of luck I can extend my lead a bit more.

“I'm expecting MC (Alan Tam) to come back strongly as he always does, but no matter what it's been a fantastic season so far.

"I've won the first ever International race held by the club and my second Macau–Hong Kong Trophy and a stack of other feature races.”

Moore has already passed his tally for last season of 53 winners and is now on 61 victories to Tam's 53.

“I estimate that I will need 70 plus winners to win the title again and I have a lot of young horses now ready to go.” Moore added.

The progressive Lucky Twin Star, ridden by Louis Corrales was the first of Moore's winners last Saturday when he again showed his brilliant speed to lead throughout over 1100 metres.

Former Gold Coast galloper Notevenow was the second of Moore's winners when he bolted away with the Class 3 over 1200m under Stanley Chin.

Originally trained by Bryan Guy in Australia, Notevenow won four races from his 16 starts in Queensland and now has won another five races in Macau.

* THE combined stable of Alan Ngai and Johnny Chan shared training honors on Saturday, leading in a winning double with Happy Strength and Windsor Arch.

Happy Strength ridden by French apprentice Charles Perkins broke his rival's hearts when he set up a big lead mid race and bolted in to win over 1500 metres.

The win gave Perkins 22 victories since he commenced race riding in Macau in mid January and gives him a five win lead over Martin Cangas in the apprentice's championship.

Windsor Arch was the second winner from the Ngai–Chan camp when he saluted under a perfect ride from German rider Andy Helfenbein over 1800m.

Helfenbein put the son of Howbaddouwantit to sleep in fifth spot against the rail soon after the start and was in no rush to chase the speed mid race.

He waited until 400m out to make his move and finished strongly via the rail win well from Win A Little (William Lei), with Har Har Money (Charles Perkins) holding on for third.

Windsor Arch is another product from the Macau Jockey Club's successful Subscription Tender Scheme and has now won three races for connections including a great fourth in this years Derby.

* ANDY Helfenbein took riding honors on Saturday's card with a winning double with Geoff Allendorf's Dance Day and the Ngai–Chan prepared Windsor Arch.

Dance Day belied his poor heavy track form with a strong win over 1500m to make it two wins on end, both with Helfenbein on top.

The five year old gelding made light of his nil from six record on soft and heavy ground and was always in contention in the run.

“Everyone told me that he would not handle the heavy track but he did not stumble once or give me a worry.” Helfenbein said.

“Maybe he just needed some runs to learn to handle the ground."

For many years one of Germany's top riders Helfenbein has been in Macau for this stint since mid April and has now ridden seven winners.

Currently licensed until the end of the season Helfenbein is keen to continue riding in the enclave in the new season.