Best Co Tack confirmed his place as one of the Macau Derby favorites with strong win at Taipa on Saturday.
Given a gem of a ride by C F (Charlie) Chan, Best Co Tack went home too well for the veteran galloper Clown Master (Ruben Silvera), with Let Me Run (Jackson Matthews) running on well for third.
In an oddly run race where there were three different leaders in the first 700 metres, Chan managed to avoid trouble when the tempo up front eased dramatically at the 900 metre mark.
Chan then bided his time on straightening before finding space to burst through the centre late and take the prize.
Charlie Chan has resurrected his riding career after a period in the wilderness giving it away altogether.
Chan who is a product of the MJC Apprentice School, was a former champion apprentice in 1997, with a Group 1 victory on Altruistic in the Macau Gold Cup his biggest win so far.
The years following seen Chan waylaid with injury and so often is the case, lack of opportunity upon his return
A few stints in Malaysia followed with some success before Chan gave the game away for more than a year.
Returning to the saddle in December Chan has posted seven winners and no one in the enclave is riding better at the present.
Prepared by Alan Tam, Best Co Tack has long been touted Derby material and is one of only two Derby contenders proven at the 1800 metres on the turf.
The son of More Than Ready placed second to Good Uncle in a strong Class 1 & 2 over 1800 metres four runs back, while the other proven runner is Best Season a winner at 1800 metres and 1950 metres.
At his most recent run on March 2nd Best Co Tack was obliged to go back from his outside gate to race at the tail of the field before running on strongly late behind Hostwin Donatello only beaten five lengths.
The next serious marker for the Derby is the Macau Guineas which has been the most prolific guide in recent years.
Hostwin Donatello looked dazzling in winning at 1500 metres in the 4YO Prelude (Group 3) on March 2 but given his brilliant turn of foot will need a cold ride to get the Derby trip.
Super Giant Star is bred to stay all day and was running on well in the prelude finishing alongside Best Co Tack and was eased late to avoid trouble near the line.
Sunshine Full Life who ran about like a drunken sailor over the last 200 metres of the Prelude was still strong at the end in running second, but is not bred on overly strong staying lines.
Sunshine Stormy was also hitting the line well in the Prelude and his race pattern suggests the Derby trip will suit.
Most dominant of the four year olds is without question Leisure Free who has looked awesome in winning two on the weather at 1500 and 1700 metres and is proven up to 2200 metres in Australia, but whether he can carry that form over to the turf in particular on a good surface remains to be seen.
