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Two classic riding displays by New Zealand’s Andrew Calder sealed victory for Team Blue in Macau's inaugural Kampek Paradise International Mixed Doubles Jockeys Challenge, at Taipa on Saturday.

Calder was teamed up the USA’s Jacqueline Davis in the challenge that featured six teams of male and female international jockeys competing over a three race series.

In the opening leg of the series the Kampek Paradise Plate over 1500 metres, Calder produced a superb ride on the Kim Cheong trained Obrigado Mais to grab first points for Team Blue.

Calder cut across the back of the field away from the gates and was a conspicuous last against the rail going into the back straight. Obrigado Mais was in a difficult spot snookered away behind horses that were going nowhere at the eight hundred corner, but then the breaks came his way with the rail opening up. The grey stormed home in the centre of the track to win by a half a length on the line from Éclair Journey ridden by Australia’s Katelyn Mallyon. Mallyon was riding for Team Black and White with Korea’s Moon Se Young. Allez Eagle was a nose away in third ridden by Team Yellow’s Olivier Doleuze who was paired up with Japan’s Nanako Fujita.

Calder’s teammate Jacqueline Davis produced a nice ride on Turquoise Power to run into fourth spot in the race to give Team Blue 20 points.

“That was a nice win. He feels like the type that could win the Derby.” Andrew Calder said.

“I was a lot further back then we intended as he didn’t jump well at all, so I had to just take the chance and switch to plan B from that draw.”

“He responded very impressively in the straight, he really knows where the line is.”

In the second heat the Kampek Paradise Bowl over 1200 metres, Calder again weaved his magic from barrier nine on Felizmaster to put the gelding on the rails after one hundred metres. From the eight hundred metre point Calder just kept sneaking through on the inside of runners with Felizmaster bursting through to hit the lead at the one fifty mark.

Second home was Mission Gdragon for Yutake Take who was riding for Team Orange, with Rayden in third for Team Red’s Manoel Nunes.

Jacqueline Davis again picked up points on Wichita Linesman in sixth to wrap up the series up for Team Blue on 37 points going into the last leg the Kampek Paradise Cup.

The winning Team of Calder and Davis received a cheque for $120,000 HKD in a presentation ceremony immediately after the final leg and were full of praise for the event.

“I was really looking forward to representing my country and I’ve had a fabulous time here.” Jacqueline Davis said.

“I would love to come back sometime.”

“The MJC put in a lot of time and effort to have the day come together. The atmosphere and racing was really exciting just a great day. “Andrew Calder said.

“It was great to meet so many top international riders and just be part of it.”

Second place in the Series ended up as a tie with Team Red’s Manoel Nunes and Korea’s Kim Hye Sun finishing on 29 points with Brazil’s Jean Alves and Yutake Take from the Orange Team.

The day proved a real winner for the Macau Jockey Club with a big roll up of international visitors and press who were full of praise for the unique concept.

A colorful opening ceremony saw the Six Teams being introduced to the public with a dazzling display of a traditional Chinese Lion Dance, with the Teams being escorted to the stage by the Chinese Lions.

Hostwin Galaxy maintained his unbeaten record with another strong win in the Kampek Paradise Cup over 1500 metres under Team Red’s Manoel Nunes.

The big strong gelding powered away over the final stages to beat Oh So Easy (Yutaka Take) with Take’s teammate Brazil’s Jean Alves kicking Mister Kaopu home into third place for Team Orange.

Sent out as a hot $1.2 favorite Hostwin Galaxy didn’t get any favors from barrier eleven with Nunes caught out on a limb in the early part of the race. Once in the back Nunes let the four year old stride forward to eventually sit on the back of the leader Oh So Easy. In the home straight the son of Redoute’s Choice pounced quickly and raced away for another impressive victory.

“A great win and a great bit of work by Nunes to let him slip forward like that.” James Moore said.

“We will just keep him ticking over and he will be aimed at the four year old classic races now.”

“Even the Hong Kong –Macau Trophy at Sha Tin might be an option as well.”

“We will just see. You don’t get a horse like this every shipment and he does have some issues as well so we will consider everything.”

Hostwin Galaxy won at his only two starts in Australia when trained by James father Gary and now has won all three starts in Macau.

The gelding succumbed to some knee problems in Australia and underwent an operation to have the chips removed before coming to Macau.

The days other feature event was the Group 3 Macau Sprint Trophy over 1200 metres which was won in brilliant fashion by Sparta under jockey Luis Corrales.

Sparta simply powered over the top of pacemaker Happy Bunny to race away for a big win from the fast finishing River Bobo (Olivier Doleuze), with Sweet Korean (Yutaka Take) close up in third.

Sparta a son of Beneteau (USA) has put together a wonderful record in Macau with five wins and four seconds from his 10 starts. His only unplaced effort was an attempt at 1400 metres from gate 14, when he weakened late behind The Alfonso to finish ninth beaten five and three quarter lengths.