Viva Pronto chalked up his second victory in the Interport Series with a bold front running win in the G1 Macau-Hong Kong Trophy over 1500m on Sunday.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Ridden by Stanley Chin, Viva Pronto was fired out of the gates to lead and from then was always in command with Chin kicking the entire away at the 200m to really put the issue beyond doubt.
Jazza Bell (Wayne Smith) the evergreen nine year old from Peter Leyshan's yard turned in another honest effort to run into second, with Luen Yat Forever (Nicholas Hall) running on for third to give Macau the first three across the line.
Viva Pronto won the Hong Kong-Macau Trophy at Shatin as a four year old and with Sunday's victory has now won 14 of his 35 starts with seven minor placings and close to $HK8.5 Million in prizemoney.
“I have never had him going better but when the rain came things were looking a bit grim.” Moore said.
“He is never as effective on the heavy ground but he gave his all, he ran his heart out, I have never seen him so tired after a run as this.”
If Moore has his wish Viva Pronto will be bound for Queensland for stud duties there.
“That decision off course rests entirely with Dr.Ho but there is a good deal of interest for him back home.”
“He is six years old now and his joints are just starting to show a bit of wear and tear so I would love him to end it now on a winning note.”
Moore won the first of the day with Dr.Sweet who led throughout to win the Group 3 Grand Lisboa Cup over 1500 metres under Matthew Chadwick.
* SPEEDY Leo made light of his poor wet track record to lead throughout for a strong win the Listed Lisboa Challenge on Sundays card.
Ridden by Brazilian jockey Tiago Pereira, Speedy Leo lived right up to his name when he sped out of gate one to take command of the race from the start.
The three year kicked away soon after heads were turned for home and kept on strongly to beat Francis (Stanley Chin) by a length, with race favorite Lucky And Wealthy (Manoel Nunes) a neck away in third.
Speedy Leo impressed plenty with his debut win in the Lisboa Prelude in February but had failed to handle the heavy conditions in his subsequent two starts.
The gelding was aided by his inside gate on Sunday and the fact the Lisboa was run very late in the day with plenty of sunshine and a light breeze bringing some improvement to the track condition.
Trainer Patrick Lee purchased the grey for $A52,500 at the 2010 Magic Millions Summer Sale for owner Mr. Lok Ho Ting.
By the Australian Group 1 Blue Diamond winner Nadeem from the Snippets mare Leonina, Speedy Leo is shaping up to be well above average and will now be aimed at the four year old classics next season.
* HONG Kong based Zac Purton picked up a Group 1 winner in Macau when he gave the Vincent Chong trained Power Alkhafif a sweet ride to win the Chairman's Challenge Cup over 1200 metres.
Purton was on a one day visit to ride Power Regimental in the Derby as well Power Alkhafif for owner Mr. Tang Hing Keung.
Whilst the Irish import Power Regimental failed to measure up in the Derby, Power Alkhafif a former David Hayes galloper from Australia assured that Purton went home with his share of the spoils.
Racing in Australia as Alkhafif when prepared by Hayes the gelding had only won one race as a two year at Caulfield, but had acquitted himself well in strong company following that.
Sundays win was victory number three in Macau for the gelding with over $1.3 million won in stakes.
Living Pegasus (Fausto Durso) from the Peter Leyshan stable made back to back wins in taking out the Star River – Windsor Arch Sand Classic Cup over 1350 metres, whist Victory Admiral (Manoel Nunes) took out the days other Group 3 feature the Oceanus Cup over 1600 metres.
