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Australian import Wichita Linesman upset his more fancied rivals with a runaway win in the 19th running of the G1 Star River-Windsor Arch Star of The Sand Stakes at Taipa last Friday night.

Ridden by Horace Lam, Wichita Linesman enjoyed a nice run just off the speed before pouncing on the leaders at the 200m. He raced away for an easy victory over Kelowna Star (Peter Ho) with The Whirlwind (Breinell Yamzon) running on for third.

Friday night was only the second time the son of Danehill Express has stepped out on the all weather track after a struggling eighth of 12 in the G2 Autumn Trophy three weeks prior.

However the gelding was up a little in bodyweight on that day and appeared to need the run. That said he remained friendless in the betting on Friday night and jumped at $269.50 for the win.

Trainer Danny Wing has done a fine job with the five year old who has now won five of his ten starts in Macau including the G3 4YO Prelude on the turf in March.

Friday night’s win proved his versatility to handle any type of track. The gelding has now a total of $HK1.4 million prize money for his owner Chan Yu Fung Bada.

Wong bought Wichita Linesman as a late three year old after looking at his wins in Western Australia.

“He was not an expensive horse to buy and he still was not fully matured,” he said.

“You can get a nice horse from Australia as a late three year. If they are not going to make it in the Group races they sell them off.”

The gelding’s record in Australia was sound with four wins from nine starts where he raced under the same name when prepared by Ascot trainer Daniel Morton.

Disappointment in the race was the favorite Sacred Missile who despite being put into a great spot by jockey Ruan Maia failed to run on in the straight.

Ryan Curatolo returned to Macau and took riding honors kicking home a double with wins on Brave Flying Hawk in the C3 over 1350 metres and Gracywife in the C3 & 4 over 1050 metres.

Curatolo has been riding in Japan on a three month contract and with just one week left has ridden a total of 23 winners from his 236 race rides there. A superb effort and one that may see him set a record for the number of winners ridden by a visiting rider on a three month contract.

“It’s been a marvelous experience for me to have this opportunity to ride in Japan and improve my skills,” Curatolo said.

“Physically and mentally I’m a better jockey for it all. Your day starts at 2.30 in the morning and you need to be very focused.

“If I can set a new record for the number of wins I’ll be very happy as some of the visiting names that have ridden there include Christophe Lemaire, Mirco Demuro, Kent Desormeaux and Allan Munro.”

Prior to going to Japan Curatolo rode for one night in Singapore on September 1 riding two winners on the night from his four rides. That paved the way for the Singapore Turf Club to offer him a six month contract for the new racing season commencing on January 1.

“It’s another great opportunity and I’m excited about it all. None of this would have been possible but for my time in Macau and for the MJC to giving me the opportunity to travel and improve myself,” he said.

“It’s been a great advertisement for Macau and I’ve loved promoting the Club. Macau has become my second home and I want to come back and be champion jockey here one day.”

On Friday night Curatolo was in dashing form and linked up with longtime supporter trainer Tony Fung to win on Brave Flying Hawk in the Class 3.

Brave Flying Hawk had not won a race since November last year with Curatolo on top on that occasion, and the booking for Friday night was pivotal in the six years old win.

The gelding enjoys a quiet ride early to produce his best and Fridays win with his explosive finish was a carbon copy of his victory last year.

Gracywife, the second of Curatolo’s winners, was having his third run for the Danny Wong yard and hit the line hard to down the well supported The Pirate King (Peter Ho) by a short head.

The win by Gracywife gave trainer Danny Wong three winners on the night. As well as taking the feature the Star of The Sand with Wichita Linesman, Danny Wong also picked up the C4 over 1510 metres with the promising Oriental Profit who won under Peter Ho.

Former champion apprentice Jonie Pescuiso was back in the winner’s circle on the Joe Lau trained Cool Brother.

Pescuiso returned to race riding after a five year absence on September 30. It took him 36 rides to post a winner but he had been a trifle unlucky with his five minor placed efforts.

Pescuiso is a natural lightweight and able to ride the minimum of 116 pounds easily. Now that he has broken the ice more opportunities should come his way.