Longshot king Lao strikes again
Comeback jockey Peter Lao has really earned the title of Macau’s longshot king after booting home another generous priced winner on Saturday, with the Tony Fung-prepared White Debbie (Medaglia D’Oro) scoring a strong win in the Class 2 over 1510 metres on the sand at odds of $146.50.
White Debbie parked off the well-bet Still So Cute (Thewayyouare) in the run, and found plenty in the home straight under Lao’s powerful riding to stave off the fast finishing King Of Glamour (Eurozone), with Tremendous Wins (Turffontein) in third.
It’s been a hard grind back for Lao who was the toast of Macau racing in the 1990s, winning three champion apprentice titles. He also had the distinction of being the first local rider to be invited to compete overseas on an international racing day, when he rode in the International Jockeys’ Series in Mauritius in 1999.
Apprenticed in Macau to Australian trainer Darby Armstrong, Lao following his domination of the junior riding ranks here remained in the top bracket of riders in the enclave in the ‘90’s, until he moved to Singapore to ride primarily for Charles Leck.
His features wins in the ‘Lion City’ include the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (Listed, 2000m) and the Raffles Cup (Listed, 1600m) aboard Emerald Isles (Shaadi), a Kranji Mile (Listed, 1600m) on Pacific Prince (Sky Filou) and a Patrons’ Bowl (Listed, 1400m) on Bon Amie (Fairy King). A shoulder injury after a horrific race fall forced his retirement in 2008.
After a spell of five years, Lao attempted a couple comebacks that proved frustrating through limited opportunity, and in Lao’s own words, his confidence was lacking. Wanting one last throw of the dice, Lao made a comeback in December last year, and had to wait four months and 69 rides before he saluted on Infinite Treasure (Captain Rio) at the huge price of $745.00.
The win on White Debbie was Lao’s fourth for the new season and his tenth since he returned to the saddle. Not a single one of his winners has gone out as the race favourite; his shortest-priced winners have been Mr Half Lamma (Battle Paint) at odds of $69.50 and City Gold (Outstrip) at $87.50. Every other winner has returned at massive odds, such as Military Star (Dragon Pulse) at $1294.00 and Ventures Elite (Battle Paint) at $243.00 for a $10 dollar investment.
With 152 race rides since he returned to the saddle, a S$10 win investment (S$1520.00) on every one of Lao’s rides would have netted you a handsome return of S$3411.00.
With over 500 race winners to his credit and still able to ride around 118 pounds, Lao is back riding with all the poise and confidence of the old days.
Filipino horseman Breinell Yamzon got on the scoreboard for the new season after 29 rides with a victory on Ventures Elite, who paid $346.50 for the win, for trainer K H Leong in the second division of the Class 4 over 1200 metres.
In what was a nightmare day for punters, where only one favourite – Partner’s Fortune (Better Than Ready) – saluted in the first of the day, the first division of the Class 4. Ventures Elite came with a last-to-first run to beat race favorite King Of Champions (Foxwedge).
It was win number four in Macau for Ventures Elite, who has accumulated another seven placings and close to HK$750,000 in prize-money for his owners Lau Chi Keung, Yuen Lai Him and S Hue. Not bad for a NZD$35,000 purchase at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sales for 2YOs in 2018.
Star Of Phoenix (Commands) was another to nail punters when he also pulled off a last-to-first win in the Class 3 over 1200 metres under Horace Lam.
Prepared by Joe Lau, Star Of Phoenix was sent out friendless in the betting at the cricket score odds of $695.50 for the win and $142.00 for the place.
The win gave the son of Commands (Danehill) his third victory in Macau and his fourth overall having won over 1100 metres at Hawkesbury under the name of Royal Advance, when trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott for Aquis Farm.
Prior to the race, while nowadays looking better placed down in Class 4 company, Star Of Phoenix did have one of the top three speed figures at the trip in 1.08.08; a time recorded when he easily beat Thar (Exceed And Excel) in a Class 3 in June of last year.