French apprentice Charles Perkins picked up his first Group win in his short career when he gave Wealthy Man a perfect ride to win the Group 2 Director's Cup over 1500 metres on Saturday.
Perkins fired Wealthy Man out of gate six to be part of the speed to the first corner then eased off the two leaders Vive Pronto and Windicatorr Returns to enjoy the run of the race.
Viva Pronto led for home but was pounced on by Perkins and Wealthy Man soon after and the six year old gelding powered away for a big win in track record time of 1.25.5 clipping .06 off Viva Pronto's mark of 1.26.1.
Luen Yat Forever under Manoel Nunes ran home strongly for second in a much improved effort, with Clown Master ridden by Andy Helfenbein in third.
Race favorite Viva Pronto, his retirement to stud duties presently on hold, wilted late under Stanley Chin to finish fourth beaten just over four lengths.
French born Perkins has had a tremendous start to his career only being licensed in Macau since mid January and at present has ridden 18 winners and 18 placings from only 93 rides. He has a win strike of 19% and a place rate of 39%, second only to Manoel Nunes who has a win strike rate of 22% and a place strike of 55%.
Perkins rides with a maturity beyond his limited race riding experience and trainer Steven Chow showed great faith in entrusting the ride on Wealthy Man to Perkins, who was unable to utilize his eight pounds allowance in the set weight race with no claims allowed.
“The boy handled him perfectly, he has good hands and he rode him on a nice long rein and got him to relax and settle down.” Chow said.
Chow has done a fine job with the six year old Wealthy Man whose record now stands at eight wins, four seconds and three thirds and close to $3 million in stakes from only 27 career runs.
“From the very first day he arrived in Macau I knew I had a very good horse so I have never pushed him and always taken good care of him.”
“Although he has been in Macau for almost three seasons he has not had a lot of racing, I prefer to space his runs and keep him sound.” Chow added.
The days other feature event the Korea Racing Authority Goodwill Trophy over 1200 metres was won in dazzling fashion by Gary Moore's Oriental Taste.
Ridden by Stanley Chin, Oriental Taste enjoyed the run of the race and burst to the front at the two hundred to run away with the Class 2 & 3 contest to beat the roughie UK import Tin Alloy (Steven Choi) with Dynasty Treasure (Martin Cangas) in third.
Oriental Taste was one of Macau best three year olds last season winning twice at Listed level before succumbing to knee chip problems.
An operation to remove the chips was performed and the gelding spent over six months away from the racetrack before returning last December.
A cracking third in the Guineas off a luckless run indicated the gelding was back to his best, before he failed to handle the heavy track and the 1800 metres of the Derby.
Gary Moore freshened the four year old up for Saturday's race and presented the gelding looking a treat in the yard.
Oriental Taste has now won six times and placed on six occasions from his 17 career runs, earning close to $1.5 million in prize-money.
• AUSTRALIAN trainer Geoff Allendorf led in a winning double on Saturday's card to take him to 19 winners for the season.
Dance Day was the first of Allendorf's winners when he scored per medium of a nice front running ride under German rider Andy Helfenbein to win the 0 – 50 Special Conditions over 1500 metres in class record time.
The five year old son of Noverre (USA) had been plagued by wet tracks in recent times and appreciated the return to a good track.
“The last good track he raced on was back in February when he ran a nice third in a 40 to 60 race.” Allendorf said.
“As a result of running on unsuitable tracks he has become very well graded and Andy (Helfenbein) gave him a lovely ride off the front.”
The gelding gave a stable a bit of a scare with a minor hoof problem late in the week and for awhile a start on Saturday was looking doubtful.
“It was looking a bit grim for a bit with some hoof problems but thanks to some good work by the master farrier Todd Gibbons he was good on the day.” Allendorf added.
Macau Eagle provided Allendorf with his double for the day when he got home via a rails hugging ride by stable apprentice Martin Cangas to win and also set a new class standard time of 1.21.2 for the 1400 metres Class 3 & 4 handicap.
“I won two races and I am rapt for both lots of owners David Price and Colin Keane as they haven't had a win in awhile.”
“Super ride by Martin (Cangas) he was going to lead but when they attacked him early he gave it up and gave him the run of the race.”
“That's his first win since March last year but he has placed a lot and whilst it's nice to collect prize-money nothing beats winning.”
Riding honors for the afternoon were shared by Andy Helfenbein with a double on Dance Day in the first and Perfect China in the last, and Manoel Nunes who kicked home a winning double on My Cup of Tea (Class 5) and Magic Falcon (Class 4 & 5).
