Beauty bolts into pole position for Derby
The Macau Derby (Listed, 1800m) is still six months away but the brilliant last to first win by Beauty Bolt (Redoute’s Choice) in Saturday’s Class 2, has firmly stamped the mare as the horse to beat in this year’s Classic.
The four-year-old Australian import who was formerly trained by Grahame Begg in Victoria, was having her third start in the enclave for leading trainer Stanley Chin. The mare lived right up to all her wraps when she unleashed a powerful finishing burst under jockey Eric Cheung, to power home right over the top of race favorite Hostwin Epanoui (More Than Ready), with Gon Sai Baau (Smart Missile) in third.
The win came as no surprise given Beauty Bolt’s superb Australian form. She was beaten only two and three-quarter lengths in the 2019 Edward Manifold Stakes (Gr 2, 1600m) behind Moonlight Maid (Puissance De Lune), then finished only two and a quarter lengths behind Fascino (Charm Spirit) when fifth in the Fillies Classic (Gr 2, 1600m) at Moonee Valley, before running a super race in the VRC Oaks (Gr 1, 2500m), eventually finishing fourth behind Miami Bound (Reliable Man).
By Redoute’s Choice (Danehill) out of the Encosta De Lago (Fairy KIng) mare Sasa, Beauty Bolt is raced by Mr Kwok Sui–Ming the founder of the Sasa perfume empire, and one of the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s most successful racehorse owners. Over the years Mr Kwok has raced a number of horses in Macau but none as highly-rated as Beauty Bolt.
Trainer Stanley Chin saddled up three runners in Saturday’s race with Royal Garden (Remind), runner up in the 2018 Macau Derby behind Pearl Green (Fastnet Rock), and King Of Glamour (Eurozone) taking their place alongside Beauty Bolt. But it was the mare that they bet down confidently to $7.70 at the off, from an opening quote of around $200.00.
“Being a four-year-old obviously our target has always been the 4YO Series races and the ultimate goal is the Derby.” Chin said after the win.
“Mr Kwok owned the dam Sasa and raced Beauty Bolt in Australia; he has always wanted to bring high class horses and race in Macau. We are very thankful to have her with us along with Beauty Supreme, who is also a very nice horse.”
Chin picked up a quick race-to-race double when the rank outsider Treasurelakebuddy (Snitzel) showed plenty of tenacity to fight back under Filipino rider Breinell Yamzon to win the Class 3 & 4 over 1510 metres.
Treasurelakebuddy, who jumped at odds of $600.00 for the win, is a New Zealand import who raced there as Patch Man when he won a 1400-metre maiden at Rotorua when prepared by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott.
Originally a $260,000 purchase at the 2017 Inglis Easter Yearling Sales, his only run in Macau prior was just a fair effort when finishing seventh of nine, beaten ten and a half lengths, when he looked in need of the run. Out of the mare Nobody Gets (Forestry), whose pedigree is full of USA bloodlines, the gelding may have found his niche on the sand surface in Macau.
Sio Cheong produced a nice newcomer in River Unicorn (Savabeel) who raced away with the 0 to 45 maiden over 1350 metres to give Eric Cheung a double for the weekend.
River Unicorn is a nice looking three-year-old son of Savabeel (Zabeel), a breed that has excelled in Macau with Macau Gold Cup (Listed, 1800m) winner Bobo So Cute the best of them. He is out of the Stratum (Redoute’s Choice) mare Refreshing. The gelding was a $90,000 purchase at the 2019 New Zealand Ready To Run Sales for owner Mr King Ho. That was after he was passed in at $140,000 at the 2019 Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale.