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The Alfonso Bounces Back From Throat Operation

3 minute read

The Alfonso made a successful return to racing in Macau following a throat operation with a dominant win in the Macau Racehorse Owner’s Association Cup over 1400m on Sunday.

The Alfonso
The Alfonso Picture: Macau Jockey Club

Ridden by Luis Corrales the six year old powered home right over the top of his rivals to win running away by two lengths from Perfect Alloy (Horace Lam), with race favorite Wonder Mossman (Leo Salles) a length and a half back in third.

In a race run at good speed where Wonder Mossman did his usual thing stretching out the field, The Alfonso was well back in the run and spotting Wonder Mossman close to ten lengths before the home turn.

Wonder Mossman still looked to be going strongly with five length lead at the two fifty, but once Corrales balanced The Alfonso up the son of Magnus simply blew them away with an amazing turn of foot to cruise down the to line.

Prepared by Macau’s master conditioner Joe Lau, The Alfonso had not raced since his luckless second placed effort in the Macau – Hong Kong Trophy on Derby day in April.

The gelding underwent a minor throat operation in May for an Epiglottic entrapment and Sunday’s win showed that he is back better than ever.

“That was a great win he even surprised me a bit with the ease of it all.” Joe Lau said.

“It’s good he has come back so well after the operation and we have plenty to look forward to with him.”

Lau is keen to return to Hong Kong with The Alfonso after he produced a mighty run in finishing a close second to Dashing Fellow in the Group 3 Hong Kong – Macau Trophy at Sha Tin back in March.

“He proved that he can mix it with their best horses that day in a race that was a bit short for him.”

“Now that Hong Kong has opened up their Group races we might find a nice 1600 or 1800 metre race for him and the big Sha Tin track will suit him.”

“With luck we might even get an invite for their big race day.”

A lovely ride by Wayne Smith sealed victory for Chinese Scholar in The Macau Racehorse owners Association Plate over 1200 metres.

Bet down to a $2.5 favorite just before the off, Chinese Scholar found himself midfield in the run and then was held up behind a wall of horses coming to the turn. Smith bided his time and then found space on the rail in the straight to storm home and beat Great Party (Breinell Yamzon), with Felizmaster (Ryan Curatolo) a short head away third.

Prepared by Victor Chan Chinese Scholar a New Zealand import has now won four races in Macau and close to $1 million on prize money for connections.

The Macau Race Horse Owners Association Bowl over 1100 metres was won in good fashion by the Rambo Tse prepared Sparta who dashed away over the final stages under Leo Salles for a big win.

Sparta a son of Beneteau who raced in Victoria under the same name, has been ultra consistent since arriving in the enclave with two wins and four close seconds from just six starts to date.

The win by Sparta gave Leo Salles a quick race to race double after he had won the previous the Class 4 & 5 over 1100 metres on Florence Elite for trainer K H Leong.


Racing and Sports

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