Karaka graduate and elite Macau galloper Sacred Capital (NZ) (O’Reilly) has gone back-to-back in the M$800,000 Macau Gold Cup (1800m), repeating his emphatic victory in the same race 12 months ago.
It was Sacred Capital’s fifth win at black-type level, and his career earnings have now swelled beyond M$5 million – the equivalent of NZ$955,000. He was a $580,000 purchase from the draft of breeder Waikato Stud at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale at Karaka.
Sacred Capital had to overcome a wide draw on Sunday, but jockey Peter Ho urged him forward in the early stages of the race. By the time the field reached the finish line with a lap to go, he had moved up to fourth spot and sat one off the rail.
Heading down the back straight, Sacred Capital slid even further forward. By the time he rounded the home turn, Star of Yiu Cheung (Casino Prince) was the only horse in front of him.
That rival provided stiff resistance all of the way down the home straight, but Sacred Capital dug deep and wore him down to prevail in a photo finish.
Trained by Joe Lau for owners Chen Ching Lung and Dato Yap Kim San, Sacred Capital has won 10 of his 23 starts. In addition to his two Gold Cup triumphs, he has also won the Macau Derby (1800m), Chairman Memorial Cup (1200m) and Macau Spring Trophy (1500m).
