Group 1 glory for Moore with Saturn
A brilliant tactical ride by Frenchman Jean-Baptiste (J B) Hamel sealed victory for Hostwin Saturn (Stratum) in Saturday’s Macau Guineas (Listed, 1500m), giving fledgling trainer Nick Moore his first local Group victory – let alone a local Group 1 – in what is his first season as a trainer.
Moore and Hamel devised a pre-race plan that was perfectly executed by Hamel, who literally stole the Guineas after taking control of the race from the 750 metres. Hostwin Saturn has a history of wanting to over-race in his races which was part of his undoing in the Derby Trial (Listed, 1500m) back in May.
“That was a great effort by the horse and a super ride by J B,” Moore said. “We talked before the race and J B suggested keeping him out a bit deep in the back straight as he fires up close to other horses. It’s a tactic used in Europe to get horses to relax a bit more and it worked. Even though he had to let him stride to the front from the eight hundred he was more relaxed in himself and that allowed him to sprint before the turn. That was the winning break.
“He was sharper today for this race; he had dropped 17 pounds and really thrived after the Derby Trial. I think the 1800 metres of the Derby will suit as he has won at the distance in close to the Derby record time.”
Runner up Star of Yiu Cheung (Casino Prince) was brave in defeat and pulled the margin back to a half-length on the line, but again did himself no favors by refusing to settle in the early and mid stages of the race, and was left flat footed at the 500 metres when the winner sprinted.
Third placed Oneofthegreats (Snitzel) produced his usual honest effort, with Patrick Lee’s Derby Trial winner Winnie Star (Medaglia d’Oro) appearing a bit flat footed also from the five hundred and was only getting into his work late. Sacred Magnate (Foxwedge), prepared by two-time Derby-winning trainer Joe Lau, closed off nicely to run fourth, only beaten one and three quarter lengths.
The Moore family now has a unique place on the Macau Guineas roll of honour with father Gary winning the race with Hostwin Donatello (Show A Heart) in 2014, ridden by Ryan Curatolo. James Moore won the race in 2016 with Kelowna Star (Sufficient) under Olivier Doleuze, and now Nick Moore in 2020. In another unique twist, all three winning jockeys are Frenchmen.
Nick’s grandfather, the legendary George Moore – arguably Australia’s greatest ever jockey – won the equivalent of the Guineas back in 1996. The race then was the Macau Derby Trial, with the great galloper Winning Touch (Triumphal March) ridden by Gary Moore.
Winning Touch was the dominant four-year-old of his generation and went on to win the Derby. In fact, George Moore trained the first three placegetters in the 1996 Derby.
The first running of the Macau Guineas was not until 2001.
It was a great weekend overall for the freshman Moore, who started five runners over the two meetings and picked up three winners and two thirds.
On Friday night, Powerful Conqueror (Exceed And Excel) under Hamel took out the Class 4 & 5 Handicap over 1050 metres with another fine ride by the Frenchman.
Then on Saturday, the very promising Sport Genius (Ocean Park) made it four wins from six starts when he sprinted late to just nail Thar (Exceed And Excel) right on the wire in the Class 3 over 1200 metres.
“He is a really nice horse and looking for a bit further now,” Moore said. “I liked the way that he quickened late when Luis changed the whip over and he just made it.”
The 37-year-old Moore was formerly assistant trainer to father Gary, an eight-time Macau champion trainer, and was only licensed at the start of this season, with his first runner on December 7.
After the weekend his stats read 45 runners for 10 winners and 11 placings giving him a win strike rate of 22 per cent and a place strike of 47 per cent.
Crown Of Gold (Duporth) made it four wins straight from only seven race starts with a good win in the Class 2 over 1500 metres under regular rider Luis Corrales.
Given a lovely ride by Corrales, Crown Of Gold – who is a noted leader – was content to surrender the pace-making position with the solid tempo of the race early. Peeling off the back of the speed at the top of the straight, he sprinted quickly to dash clear. Luen On Poseidon (Pierro) ran on strongly for second with Hostwin Shadow (Longhorn) in third.
Crown Of Gold is prepared by Joe Lau and sealed his placed in the Derby with an easy win over 1800 metres on a heavy track in the Porto Alegre (1800m), a qualifying race for the Derby.
Lau is now in an enviable position, with Sacred Magnate looking a super Derby chance provided it stays dry, and Crown Of Gold, who has proven he can handle any type of track and is a winner over the distance.
Tshwaro Appie does not get a great many chances but makes the most of what he gets.
On Saturday the young South African rider pulled off an upset win on the Danny Wong trained Tokai Shinsei (Olympic Glory), who saluted at odds of over 70/1 for the win in the Class 5 & 6 over 1800 metres.
Tokai Shinsei, who broke his maiden status after eight starts, was always traveling well in the run, off the speed. Brought to the outside at the top of the straight, he went home strongly for a good win.
Appie does not get a lot of opportunities and Saturday was only his fourth winner with seven placings from his 107 rides this season. His display on Tokai Shinsei proves he is up to the task given the right mount.