3 minute read

New Zealand import Krystrump provided Macau trainer Peter Leyshan with the perfect stimulant with his convincing win at Taipa last Saturday.

Leyshan was only released from hospital a few days earlier after undergoing back surgery to relieve nerve pressure cause by two ruptured discs. Leyshan was at the track with the aid of a back brace support and could not hide his delight with the win.

“Well that was the perfect tonic after what I’ve been through lately,” he said.

“I’ve been suffering considerable pain in my left leg for some time and for a while I thought I might have needed a new hip.

“However an MRI showed it was all nerve damage caused by the discs so while I’ve still got a ways to go at least I’ll end up pain free.”

There was nothing to impede Krystrump on Saturday who was give a nice ride by Irishman Wayne Smith before charging to the front for a length and a half win over Same Beauty (Ruan Maia) with Chromium Alloy (Horace Lam) running on for third.

Whilst it was only Krystrump’s second win in Macau, the son of New Trumps has been a handy proposition for his connections Yanese Limited with four other placed efforts in Macau including second in this year’s Derby behind Sacred Man.

In his 10 runs in the enclave to date Krystrump is already over the $HK1.2 million prize money.

Krystrumps sole win in New Zealand was a maiden at Avondale over 1200 metres.

The most controversial race of the day was without doubt the Class 6 over 1350 metres on the sand that was eventually awarded to the Victor Chan trained Rosary Diamond ridden by Horace Lam.

With only a small field of six runner’s punters only had eyes for Peter Ho’s mount Gold On who was always in the red to eventually jump at $1.8.

In a tough slugging performance that seen the favorite under the whip from the six hundred, Gold On crossed the line with a nose to spare over Rosary Diamond, with Cheerful Companion who was severely checked away from the gates flashing home for third.

Luis Corrales the rider of Cheerful Companion fired in a protest against the winner Gold On citing interference soon after the start.

The MJC steward’s panel headed by Australian Peter Dompkins found that Gold On had shifted in when insufficiently clear of Cheerful Companion causing him to be severely checked, losing considerable ground.

They concluded that amount of ground lost in the interference was far greater than the beaten margin, and the placings were amended to read Rosary Diamond first, Cheerful Companion second and Gold On relegated back to third.

Cheerful Companions performance was nothing short of amazing. After the severe check that seen him lose the better part of seven to eight lengths, Corrales was only just starting to tack onto the field approaching the turn but still spotting the leaders seven lengths.

Then to add to his woes Corrales dropped his whip at the two hundred and proceeded to hit the horse with his right hand as he powered home late to be the best of good things beaten.