News

Elderly Paradise Dominant In Macau Gold Cup

27th Jun 2012

Macau Racing Review - Harry Troy - Tuesday, 26 June 2012

Macau Derby winner Elderly Paradise treated his opponents with contempt to win the final leg of the Macau Triple Crown, the Macau Gold Cup with an easy five and a half length victory in the $1 million dollar Group 1 event on Saturday.

Ridden by Irishman Wayne Smith, Elderly Paradise was always travelling sweetly in the run after being put into the box seat by the judge the first time.

Initially it appeared that Smith was looking to lead on Elderly Paradise as the gelding did in the Derby, but with plenty wanting to be forward he ended up travelling kindly in fifth spot in the run.

There were a few anxious moments approaching the turn when Elderly Paradise was held up behind the leaders and Manoel Nunes was quick to take advantage of it on the $1.8 favorite Luen Yat Forever, sweeping around the field to straighten up in front, but once Elderly Paradise found space he showed a brilliant turn of foot in the heavy conditions to burst away from Luen Yat Forever to win in a time of 1.55.8 for the 1800 metres, some 2.5 slower then his Derby win.

“There was a couple that wanted to go forward so I just let him fall in behind them and we ended up in a great spot.” Smith said.

“From the eight hundred on though I was just getting a little bit worried as they started to steady up a bit in front and then Nunes went on the favorite, but I was amazed at the turn of foot he gave me when we got into the clear.”

The win gave trainer Alan Tam all three legs of the Triple Crown having won the first leg the Group 1 Macau Guineas over 1500 metres with Lucky Jai.

Elderly Paradise was fifth in that event beaten two and a half lengths.

By the former champion Australian racehorse Danewin from the Zabeel mare Kali Smytzer, Elderly Paradise has now won eight of his 14 starts and over $3.1 million in prize-money.

The four year old was purchased by Tam following a barrier trial at Pakenham on the advice of Gordon (Bear) Benson a long time friend of Tam’s and former Macau trainer.

Raced by a syndicate of owners whose primary business is aged care homes in Hong Kong, Elderly Paradise never fails to attract a huge entourage on race days with some of biggest group winning photos taken at the Taipa track taken after his wins.

Bred by Fowlston Bloodstock, Classic Park Bloodstock Pty Ltd & Mr K Williams, Elderly Paradise (4g Danewin-Kali Smytzer) was sold for $21,000 from the draft of Glentree Downs at the 2009 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.