Macau trainer Joe Lau will be hoping it's a case of second time lucky when he lines up his Macau Derby winner Sacred Capital in Sunday's Group 3 Sa Sa Ladies Purse over 1800 metres at Sha Tin.
Lau made the trip to Hong Kong for the race in 2016 with The Alfonso who wound up in eighth spot only beaten two and quarter lengths, after wide run from barrier twelve behind Horse Of Fortune.
Sacred Capital was Macau's boom horse last season rising from his arrival mark of 65 to his present handicap of 115 rating points. The five year old won six of his eight starts in distances ranging from 1200 metres to 1800 metres under regular jockey Peter Ho, including the SJM Macau Derby, The Macau Gold Cup (both at 1800 metres), and the Macau 30th Anniversary Cup.
In his Derby win Sacred Capital equaled The Alfonso's race record time of 1.47 for the 1800 metres when he showed a dazzling turn of foot from barrier 14 to box seat in the run, before running out an easy winner. The son of O'Reilly then came out and destroyed the 2018 Derby winner Pearl Green in the Macau Gold Cup one month later after racing close to the speed.
Lau is confident of a bold showing in Sunday's race and could not be happier with the gelding.
"I couldn't be happier with him he has done really well since his last run. On that occasion we just had no luck at all after he was a bit slow out, and then we got on the back of slow horses in the run. Then when we looked like getting clear running in the straight we got severely checked so I'm just forgetting that run."
Lau rates Sacred Capital every bit as good as The Alfonso ability wise but Sacred Capital has the edge on the former with his style of running.
"They are both lovely horses but where The Alfonso was a back marker and needed some luck in running Sacred Capital can make his own luck with his versatility.
"This horse has the speed to find a position as we seen in the Derby and he can also relax and take a sit off them. He also has a brilliant turn of foot so he has the edge on The Alfonso in that respect."
"It's a huge step up for the horse I realize that with the trip over and the competition. And we are meeting their best horses. But I feel he's earned a shot at a race like this and if you don't try you will never know."
Lau has savored victory at Sha Tin in the past with his grand performer Crown's Gift winning the inaugural running of the Hong Kong – Macau Trophy over 1600 metres in 2004.
