Big weekend for Wayne Smith
First season trainer Wayne Smith enjoyed his best weekend to date leading in four winners over the two days of racing, three of those in big wins on Sunday.
The speedy Chapman Way (Strategic Maneuver) was the first of Smith’s winners on Friday night when he led throughout to win the Class 5 & 6 over 1200 metres under apprentice Eric Cheung.
Fired out of the gates by Cheung, the son of Strategic Maneuver (Royal Academy) led clearly on the bridle. Set alight at the top of the straight, Chapman Way had a big lead inside the 200-metre mark, and although tiring late, the gelding held on to win by a half length over the fast finishing Joyful Commander (Swiss Ace), with Californiatreasure (Onemorenomore) in third.
On Sunday’s mixed turf and sand card, Smith struck early in race two with Knows It All (Bachelor Duke), who bolted away for a six–length win in the Class 3 & 4 over 1510 metres under Japanese rider Massa Tanaka.
Knows It All is a former highly promising galloper that at one stage was being touted as a potential Derby (Listed, 1800m) prospect after winning four races from his first six starts in Macau, from 1050 metres (sand) to 1800 metres turf.
Formerly with Victor Chan, the gelding’s form tapered off after April this year and he was transferred to Smith. Sunday was his fifth run under Smith and the son of Bachelor Duke (Miswaki) looks to be right back at the top of his game.
Star Of Yiu Cheung (Casino Prince) was the next of Smith’s winners on Sunday when he made amends for his short head Derby defeat by romping home in the Class 2 & 3 over 1500 metres.
Ridden by Peter Ho, Star Of Yiu Cheung never looked in doubt in the run, racing away for a four and a half length victory over Association Seven (Manhattan Rain).
Star of Yiu Cheung was Smith’s first winner as trainer back in October and is no doubt the stable star. The impressive looking son of Casino Prince (Flying Spur) has put together a superb record of nine starts for four wins and five second placings; his biggest beaten margin has been one and a quarter lengths over 1050 metres on the sand.
The gelding was runner up in the Derby Trial (Listed, 1500m) by a short head to Winnie Star (Medaglia d’Oro), the Macau Guineas (Listed, 1500m) by a half length to Hostwin Saturn (Stratum), and the Macau Derby by a short head to Sacred Magnate (Foxwedge). In both the Derby Trial and the Guineas he spoiled his chances by overacing badly.
Ocean Warrior (Ocean Park) was the last of Smith’s winners on Sunday when Fausto Henrique caught his rival jockeys sleeping and pinched the maiden over 1500 metres.
Henrique was allowed to stride away with a six-length lead over his opponents in the back and it was obvious at the 600-metre mark that the race was in his keeping. The diminutive son of the 2012 Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m) winner Ocean Park (Zabeel) ran out a six–length winner over Goal Achiever (Star Witness), with Master Of Mars (Master of Design) in third.
“I’m obviously thrilled that Star Of Yiu Cheung won so well today after what’s been an unlucky season for him.” Smith said.
“Ocean Warrior looks a very exciting prospect for next season; a small horse with a big heart and still a lot of improvement in him.
“Knows It All was a bit of a challenge when I got him and it was great to see him winning so well; I think we can improve him more next season.”
Smith was full of praise for his owners and his stable staff after Sunday’s victories.
“It’s a red letter day for the yard. I’m totally grateful to my owners for their patience and their support in allowing me to take my time and not rush the horses. Also a big shout out to my staff who are the hardest working lads in the Club, they totally deserve the success.”
A former Champion jockey in Dubai where he was based for 19 years, Smith only commenced training in September last year and after Sunday has now a total of 14 winners for the season, and a further 21 placings, with 14 of those making the quinella spot, from a total of 122 runners.
Tanaka also enjoyed a fine weekend booting home a treble over the two days to take him to 12 winners for the season, a great effort considering he only arrived in January this year just before the Covid -19 interruption to racing.
Tanaka was successful in the last of the night of Friday on the Stephen Chow-trained Honey Biscuit (Showcasing). The model of consistency arrived in the nick of time to win the Class 5 & 6 over 1510 metres.
Treasure Honey (Real Impact) was his second winner for the weekend when he showed plenty of fight to take out the Class 5 & 6 on Sunday, before coming out on top in the next the Class 3 & 4 over 1510 metres with a big win on Smith’s Knows It All.
Hard working Tanaka has firmly entrenched himself in Macau racing after successful years in New Zealand and Korea.