Sacred Capital the King of Macau

Media Release - Tuesday August 27

Raffles Racing's New Zealand-bred Sacred Capital has quickly stamped himself as the star of Macau Racing, with the son of O'Reilly winning Sunday's M$800,000 (NZ$155,000) Macau Gold Cup (1800m) in effortless fashion in testing conditions.

Sacred CapitalThe five-year-old has won six of his eight starts in Macau for trainer Joe Lau, having landed the M$2.6 million Macau Derby (1800m) at his previous start and the good-looking gelding is noted for his versatility, being able to adapt to different running styles and track conditions.

Sacred Capital started a well-fancied $1.90 favourite and was ridden to victory by Peter Ho.

"It was a big win, that's for sure, and he is just a great horse. It's easy to train horses like him," Lau told Harry Troy of the Macau Jockey Club.

It was the typical modest reply that you'd expect from Lau, but the truth is it has not all been plain sailing for Sacred Capital who through an abscess on his hoof had to miss both the Derby Trial (1500m), and the Macau Guineas (1500m) the main lead up races to the Derby.

"Yes he had some issues but fortunately we were able to get his hoof right even though it was a bit of a rush to get him fit for the Derby," Lau said.

"It's been a great team effort overall and a big thanks to my stable team."

The win gave Lau his first ever victory in the Macau Gold Cup which is one of the few Macau features that have eluded him.

Advertisement

A graduate of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, Sacred Capital was sold by Waikato Stud for $580,000 to the bid of Victorian trainer Ciaron Maher, in conjunction with bloodstock agent Bruce Perry and Waterford Bloodstock.

The son of O'Reilly commenced his career under the name Rellson in Australia for Maher, where his six starts included a maiden victory, a fourth in the Listed Poseidon Stakes (1400m) and sixth placings in the Gr. 2 Autumn Classic (1800m) and Gr.3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m).

Since relocating to Macau, Sacred Capital has won six of his eight starts and earned more than M$2.5 million in prize-money (NZ$485,000) for Raffles Racing's Dato Yap Kim San, who races him in partnership with Chen Ching Lung.

The Macau Racing season concluded over the weekend with New Zealand breds winning 32.3 percent of all races for the season in the territory.

Brazilian Ruan Maia was once again crowned Champion Jockey on 71 wins, 19 victories clear of Luis Corrales on 52 with Peter Ho third on 42 winners.

Stanley Chin picked up his first Champion Trainer's Title with 52 winners, 11 ahead of Sio Cheong on 41, with Danny Wong and Tony Fung in a tie for third on 38 wins. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Lightly Raced Stayer Wins Sandown Cup
The $175,000 Listed MRC Sandown Cup (3200m) on Sunday featured some battle hardened  old stayers, but it was the young kind on the block that got the prize with four year-old Tavistock gelding Diwali scoring his first stakes win.
Aussie Bred Trifecta in G3 Sha Tin Vase
Toronado (IRE) gelding Helios Express led home a tricta for Aussie bred sprinters in the Group III Sha Tin Vase (1200m) on Saturday defeating Invincible Sage (Thronum) and Patch of Theta (Zoustar).
Brutal Continues Karaka Doncaster Domination
Karaka graduate Brutal (NZ) (O’Reilly) produced a brilliant performance on Saturday to beat a stellar field of older horses in one of Australia’s most famous races, the A$3 million Group 1 The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick.
Newgate Farm Acquire an Interest in Brutal
An interest in Group I ATC Doncaster Handicap winner Brutal (NZ) has been sold to Newgate Farm and partners.
Cool Aza Beel Strikes Again
Proven Te Akau Racing filly Cool Aza Rene put her quality on display when prevailing in a competitive Nellies Restaurant and Bar 2YO (820m) at Wingatui on Sunday.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 1
Here is the full list of 51 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Magic Justify x Fastnet Rock Cross Strikes in Hong Kong
With Justify’s very best son City of Troy (USA) shuttling to Coolmore Australia this spring it’s worth remembering the power of the Justify x Fastnet Rock nick and we saw it to the fore at Sha Tin on Saturday when Australian bred four year-old Pray for Mir took out the Group III The Lion Rock Trophy (1600m).
First Stakes Win for Shamrocker Brother
Remarkable Kiwi broodmare Bohemian Blues produced a fourth stakes-winner on Sunday to go with her earlier star progeny Shamrocker, Rock Diva and Bohemian Lily.
The Secret is Out!
He has big shoes to fill as a half-brother to a $12million earner, but there is no secret about his ability! 
Brutal Back But Is He Everest Bound?
Newgate Farm purchased an interest in Brutal after he won the Group 1 Doncaster Mile in April and the decision to keep the handsome son of O’Reilly in training as a 4-year-old looks set to pay off bigtime following an impressive return to racing in Saturday’s $500,000 Group II Premiere Stakes (1200m).