Chin and Tanaka dominate at Taipa
It’s full steam ahead for Stanley Chin in his quest for his second Macau champion trainers’ title, leading in four winners over the weekend’s racing to take the lead in the trainers’ standings.
Chin, a former champion Hong Kong apprentice who rode successfully around the world, won his first Macau trainers’ title in the 2018-19 season with 52 victories.
City Gold (Outstrip), a UK import, was the first of Chin’s winners when he easily accounted for his opposition in the Class 4 over 1510 metres on the sand under Japanese rider Masa Tanaka.
Cherry Road (Niagara), again under Tanaka, was the second winner for Chin over the two days, when he continued on his winning way, making it four wins from his last five starts with a strong win in the Class 3 over 1500 metres on Saturday, having been given another perfect ride by the Japanese jockey.
Chin and Tanaka did not even have time to cool down when they took out the next event, the Class 4 over 1800 metres, with the progressive Star Of City Gold (Swiss Ace), who made it three wins on the trot after what was another fine piece of riding by Tanaka.
Roaring Fans (Nicconi) rounded out Chin’s day with a dazzling all-the-way win in the last of the day, the Class 4 & 5 over 1200 metres with Eric Cheung in the saddle.
In an on-track interview at the beginning of the season, Chin declared that he had the horse power in his yard and was going all out to pick up his second title this season.
“Yes, the horses have all done well; it’s been a very good weekend.” Chin said after Saturday.
“As I said at the start of the season, a lot of my new horses last year were a bit immature and needed time to acclimatise. They have now come back better and stronger this season and I’m going all out for my second trainers’ championship.”
Taking through his four winners for the weekend, Chin said: “City Gold has been a bit of a surprise for us. He is only a small horse, around 960 pounds. A friend of mine in the UK said that he worked well with some higher-class horses, but was on the small side, and was on the market for not a lot of money. He has now won three and placed in three from only nine runs.
“Cherry Road was always going to be a Derby type of horse and has taken a while to mature but now has won four from his last five, with six wins overall. He just keeps improving.
“Star Of City Gold was originally going to Hong Kong but had a knee operation and could not go after that. We bought him for a very reasonable price and he is really doing a great job. He did not race until he was a four-year-old but has now won his last three straight and four races in total.”
Of his last winner, Roaring Fans, Chin added: “He was at a good mark and got an easy lead so it all worked out well.”
Chin has forged a strong partnership with Tanaka this season that has resulted in the bulk of Tanaka’s winners coming from his yard.
“I watched Masa ride last season and liked what I saw,” he said. “At the start of this season, we had a meeting and we agreed that he and Eric Cheung would become my main riders. Of course I will still use other jockeys when needed, but I am very happy with how it’s all working out.”
Chin is now leading the standings on 17 winners for the season, three ahead of Sio Cheong, with last year’s champion trainer Tony Fung in third spot on 12 victories.
Number Zero (Showcasing) is a horse really going places evidenced by his brilliant win in Friday night’s Class 1 (70+ ratings) over 1510 metres under Brazilian rider Fausto Henrique.
Prepared by Danny Wong, Number Zero made it six wins from ten starts in Macau when he powered away from a good quality lot to beat Kelowna Star (Sufficient) with Hostwin Saturn (Stratum) in third.
Number Zero, on his rating of 79, was well out of it at the handicaps carrying 116 pounds, as opposed to race favourite Star of Yiu Cheung (Casino Prince), who was rated on 103 and carried 119 pounds.
However, in the case of Number Zero, he has still not reached his true rating mark, his connections were fully aware of that and had no hesitation taking on the higher grade.
A son of Showcasing (Oasis Dream) from the Keeper (Danehill) mare Karmadini, Number Zero’s talents are not just confined to the sand. The gelding has three wins on the turf as well and is adept on both firm and heavy tracks.