3 minute read

Macau’s latest boom horse Sacred Missile made it four wins from as many starts when he destroyed his opponents in the Class 3 over 1350 metres on the all weather surface at Taipa on October 13.

With Ruan Maia in the saddle for the first time, the son of Smart Missile stepped away from the gates much better than his previous slow beginnings, and found himself traveling sweetly off the speed in fourth spot.

The gelding rolled forward on the circle to the turn under a hold, but was forced very wide by the errant Modena Favorite who was on one rein. Maia didn’t panic however and once he balanced the four year old up Sacred Missile powered away for a five and a half length victory.

Trainer Joe Lau - a man usually reserved with his opinions - could not hide his delight after the win.

“That was some sort of a win. I didn’t really expect that as he is not fully fit yet. He is also very immature he is still only just learning what it’s all about,” Lau said.

Lau has no immediate plans mapped out other than to turn his attention to the turf.

“I’ll look at the turf with him maybe step him up to 1500 metres. That’s the way to go if we are going to be looking at the four year old classics next year. Breeding wise it should not be an issue.” He added.

Lau trained Sacred Missile’s half brother Sacred Hustler (Hussonet) to four straight wins on the sand in Macau from his first four starts, before later in his career winning the G1 Chairman’s Challenge Cup over 1200 metres on the turf.

Sacred Hustler unlike the layback Sacred Missile was pure speed and did not win beyond 1200 metres.

Mauritian jockey Akash Aucharuz enjoyed a good night with a winning double on Friday to put him on three wins for the new season.

Aucharuz was seen to advantage on Premier Choice in the Maiden over 1050 metres for trainer Alan Tam in the first of the night.

Premier Choice showed good speed away from the gates to park off the early leader Sparkling Buddy before darting away inside the two hundred for an easy win.

The former NSW provincial galloper Grexit was the second of Aucharuz’s winner’s when he showed a complete turnaround in form to score a strong win in the Class 4 over 1050 metres.

Grexit had been well supported the week prior on the turf in a good quality Class 3 over 1200 metres but never fired at all.

Friday night was his second run on the sand his first attempt was in mid August when not fit.

The son of All American has a strong sand pedigree on both sides and had trialed respectably in two all weather barrier trials, but was still sent out friendless at long odds.

The four year olds time was neat enough for the way the track rode on the night at 1.02.5 and he looks to have found his niche on the all weather.

Grexit’s only win in NSW when raced by prominent owner Alan Bell was a maiden at Wyong when prepared by Kris Lees.

Filipino horseman Breinell Yamzon was back in the winners list on Friday night after a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury.

Yamzon fell from Master Of Assayer breaking his hand back in March and has only been back for three race days.

He brought the well named The Whirlwind home with a flying finish to win the Class 1 & 2 Handicap over 1510 metres.

It’s been a long time between victories for the US-bred son of Henrythenavigator, with his last win way back in February 2016.

In between that have been some huge runs in elite company and a few luckless ones at that.

It all fell into place for the six year on Friday night with a good solid tempo and a lovely ride by Yamzon.

Yamzon saved plenty of ground hunting inside runs from the back before weaving between runners coming to the turn.

A couple of cracks with the whip in the left hand followed by a quick whip change to the right saw The Whirlwind jump out of the ground late to beat Winbeauty Infiniti (Kevin Leung) with Best Of Luck (Ruan Maia) back in third.