Korean trainer Kenny Seo enjoyed his best day since setting up in Macau when he combined with in form apprentice Frankie Choi for a winning double on Taipa’s Christmas race day on December 27.

Seo, who has only been training in the enclave for little over 12 months was successful early in the afternoon with Golden Champ who made it win number two in the Class 3 & 4 over 1100 metres.

Golden Champ came with a powerful burst under Choi late to beat the well supported Correio (Andrew Calder), with Windsor Arch Five (Ryan Curatolo) in third.

Golden Champ a son of Group 2 winning sire All Bar One (Aus), scored his maiden win back in March on the sand surface and on Saturday showed his versatility in handling the very heavy ground.

An Australian import, Golden Champ (ex Too Much Gift) was formerly raced by Heinrich Bloodstock at the Gold Coast winning a Beaudesert Maiden and placing twice at the Gold Coast in his 11 runs there.

Kenny Seo and Choi rounded out their day when Hanigan justified his solid late support in betting to easily account for his opposition in the last of the day the second division of the Class 3 & 4 over 1100 metres.

Hanigan was clearly the best away when he flew the gates under Choi but was then allowed to settle in third spot when the stable mates Happy Alloy and Strong Ally set up a fast tempo on the lead.

Once in the straight Choi angled out to the better ground and Hanigan responded quickly to reel in Strong Alloy (Breinell Yamzon) and race away for an easy victory with Turquoise Lucky (Ryan Curatolo) running on well for third.

Hanigan’s both wins have been over the 1100 metre course on the turf and like Golden Champ he is a son of All Bar One (Aus). The gelding won a barrier trial at Toowoomba on the cushion track prior to being sold to Kenny Seo for Macau.

Seo prepared 11 winners in his first season in the enclave, a creditable amount with his small team. After Saturday he has posted five winners to date this season.

Frankie Choi who recently had his indentures transferred to former champion jockey now trainer Stanley Chin, is enjoying a great start to the season and is currently in third spot on the rider’s standings with 13 winners.

Luis Corrales tops the list with 25 winners, nine ahead of Peter Ho on 16 victories.

• RYAN Curatolo continued his good form in the saddle with a winning double on Saturday’s program giving him four winners since he returned to race riding four weeks ago.

Curatolo was quick of the mark Saturday with a win in the first of the day the 20 to 40 rated event over 1200 metres on the Tommy Tse trained Maggie’s Pride.

The young Frenchman tracked the early leader Wonder Dylan on Maggie’s Pride until the corner before darting clear in the heavy conditions to bolt away and win easily from Active Power ((Frankie Choi), with Macau Health (Charles Perkins) back in third.

Windsor Arch Three from the Alan Ngai yard was the second of Curatolo’s winners when he destroyed his rivals in the 70 to 40 rated handicap over 1950 metres.

Curatolo has a wonderful record on the grey gelding having won four races on him from six rides and one second placing.

“This horse really goes well for me and it’s good to get another win on him.” Curatolo said.

“It’s great to be back and riding winners and I really want to thank everyone for their support.”

Curatolo was confident of having a good day when the rain persisted through the week.

“The rain was good for me as a lot of my rides could handle it like Maggie’s Pride, Windsor Arch Three and also Golden Harbour who I thought was going to win as well before we were beaten into second place.”

Windsor Arch Three has developed in a handy stayer since being stepped in distance early last season winning a total of six races, four over the 1800 metre course and twice at 1950 metres.

Curatolo had a great first season in the enclave winning 23 races in eight months of riding before he came to grief in a three horse pile up in late July fracturing his collarbone.

Local rider Wil Pao also kicked home a winning double on the day with the giant sized galloper My Pony winning the 95 to 70 rated contest over 1200 metres for the combined stable of Vincent Chong and Danny Wong.

My Pony made it win number eight in Macau and now has won close to $2.5 million HKD in prizemoney for owner Mr. Chan Wing Kwan.

The promising Kim Cheong prepared Lucky Winston won his fourth race in the enclave from only nine runs when he raced away with the Class 2 & 3 over 1500 metres under Pao.

Lucky Winston a son of Churchill Downs (Aus) is developing into a nice Derby prospect and has now shown his ability to handle any type of going with wins now on good, yielding and heavy tracks.

• ROOKIE apprentice Calvin Wong provided the upset of the day with a win on the Patrick Lee trained Delight Consul in the 30 to 50 rated event over the 1500 metre course.

Delight Consul had won six races prior in Macau but all his wins have been confined to the all weather surface and he was considered a bit of a duffer on the turf.

Sent out as the rank outsider of the field at $780.00 for the win, Delight Consul was a conspicuous last away from the gates and then slowly circled the field from the 1000 metre mark to be on a line of three coming to the turn.

Once in the straight the son of Iglesia (Aus) responded well to the young apprentices urgings to race away for an easy win over Golden Fifty Six (Charlie Chan), with Gold And Silver (Andrew Calder) running on for third.

It was win number three from 38 rides for Calvin Wong who is attached to former three times champion trainer Alan Tam.

The young lad possesses nice balance and with time has the makings of a fine rider.