New Zealand rider Andrew Calder, currently back in Macau on a three month riding contract, kicked home a winning double at Taipa on Saturday to give him his 46th victory in the enclave.
Photo by Press Photo
Calder made a big impression on Macau race-goers with his wins on Imabayboy in the 2011 Guineas-Derby double. His Derby ride was considered among the finest seen here.
With 25 winners in 2011 and a further 19 in the 2012 season, Calder is once again a welcome addition to the riding ranks.
Geoff Allendorf’s Wonderful Four was the first of Calder’s winners when he scored off a nicely rated front running ride over 1200 metres.
A nice looking son of Zizou, Wonderful Four is still learning his craft displaying plenty of greenness over the final stages and once he puts it all together looks destined for better things.
US import Oakcrest Drive from the Alan Tam yard was the second of Calder’s winners, reveling in the heavy conditions to win easily in the Class 1 over 1800 metres.
On a weekend where four riders rode doubles (Charles Perkins, Andrew Calder, Craig Grylls and Andy Helfenbein) top honors went to Brazilian Fausto Durso with a treble for the two days.
* OWNER King Ho’s passion for horse racing has seen him make a huge investment in Macau in the past 12 months and that enthusiasm was rewarded with the stable leading in a winning treble on Friday night's sand card.
My Dream ridden by Filipino rider Kelvin Abobo was the first of King Ho’s winners when he saluted in the Class 5 & 6 over 1600 metres in class record time.
The four year old gelding is prepared by trainer W T Lai, who handles all but one of King Ho’s 23 horses in training.
The win belied his recent average form with the promise of more to come on the all weather over the longer journeys.
It was also a dream start for young Kelvin Abobo who was having his first ride at Taipa as he commences a three month contract with the MJC.
Abobo comes with a fine record of 450 winners in seven seasons of riding, with the 2012 season his best to date with 100 winners from 700 rides in the Philippines.
No Excuse Doodle was the second of Ho and Lai’s winners when he powered away under New Zealander Craig Grylls to win the Class 4 & 5 over 1350 metres.
It gave Grylls a great start to his three month stint in Macau and the polished rider made it a double later in the day with Luen Yat Fast Net in the Class 3 & 4 over 1600 metres.
Belgrade Nights was the third winner for King Ho when he fought back strongly under German horseman Andy Helfenbein to hold off Regal Flame (Breinell Yamzon) to win the Class 2 & 3 over 1350 metres in another class record run.
