International Derby Victory for Karaka

Karaka graduates gathered an impressive haul at Macau Jockey Club’s feature race meeting of the year, claiming half of the races on the programme including the Listed Macau Derby and two other races at Listed level.

Best Season (NZ) successful in the Listed SJM Macau Derby. Photo courtesy of MJC.

Kiwi-bred Best Season (NZ) (Bahhare) raced to an impressive victory in the SJM Macau Derby MOP$2.6 million (1800m), a Group 1 race in Macau and the richest race in the country.

The son of Bahhare started from barrier 13 in the 14-horse field and was quickly restrained to the tail of the field by rider Peter Ho. The pace was slow in the 1800m race and Ho opted to move forward down the back straight to sit outside the leader entering the final corner.

Trained by Vincent Chong, Best Season dashed to the front at the top of the straight to claim the lead, race-favourite Hostwin Danatello (Show a Heart) chased hard but couldn’t catch the leader who won by three-quarters of a length.

Best Season was purchased by Courtco Racing for $10,000 at the 2011 Karaka Festival Sale from Rich Hill Stud – who stood his sire Bahhare – before owner Mr Wong Hiu Tung purchased him to race in Macau.

Bred by R A C & J J Thomas Family Trust, Best Season is a three-quarter brother to Group 1 winner Hurrah (Bahhare) and Hong Kong stakes winner Carlisle Bay - Best Gift (H.K.) being out of Whinny (Sumayr), a half-sister to Listed winner Shock Attack (Inviting).

The win adds another Derby to New Zealand's already impressive record, accounting for 40% of Derby wins in the last five seasons in Australia.

The day got off to the best possible start for Karaka with Smiling Happy (Danzero) triumphant in the first race on the day, the Listed MOP$650,000 Grand Lisboa Cup (1500m).

A number of international jockeys were invited to ride at the meeting including New Zealand’s Craig Crylls, Australia’s Tommy Berry and Hong Kong-based Joao Moreira. Macau-based kiwi rider Andrew Calder was charged with the ride on Smiling Happy and positioned the gelding outside the leader from barrier 10.

Grylls tried to pinch the race on the leader Luen Yat Freaky (Not a Single Doubt) but Calder and Smiling Happy ranged to the lead in the last 200m and drew away to win by one length on the Joe Lau trained gelding.

Smiling Happy was offered at the 2010 Ready to Run Sale but was unable to reach his reserve for Anzac Lodge.

The weekend’s victory was the seventh win for Smiling Happy and his first at stakes level having previously been placed four times for owners Lai Chan Cheong & Shi Shun On. The son of Danzero is out of Sierra Leone (Polish Precedent), a sister to Listed winner Alliteration (Polish Precedent) and a half-sister to dual Group 3 winner Mkuzi (Halling).

Also tasting success at Listed level was The Drunk Bird (Starcraft) who was an easy 3.3 length winner of the Listed MOP$650,000 Oceanus Cup Sand Mile (1600m).

The Drunk Bird, who raced in Australia under the name Cesar’s Pride, jumped straight to the lead for rider Cash Wong and controlled the race throughout. Entering the straight, The Drunk Bird had stretched the field out and his lead only got bigger, winning by an impressive 3.3 lengths.

Trained by K C Wong, The Drunk Bird has won seven races from 26 starts with the weekend’s victory his first at stakes level for owners Poon Ming Chun & Chan Fung Ngai. New Zealand Bloodstock as agent purchased the son of Starcraft for $140,000 at the 2010 Karaka Premier Sale.

The day ended with another Karaka graduate Easy to Rich (NZ) (Captain Rio) victorious in the last race on the card for trainer M C Tam, owner Wong Ching Ping and rider Martin Cangas.

The son of Captain Rio, who broke through for his maiden victory, was purchased by Miss J E G Davidson for $6,000 at the 2010 Karaka Festival Sale from Matakana Thoroughbreds.