The Alfonso
Grand old campaigner in the twilight of his career. Beaten a neck in the 2016 Hong Kong – Macau Trophy 1400m behind Dashing Fellow and only 2 ¼ lens away behind Horse Of Fortune in the Sa Sa Ladies Purse Group 3 over 1800 metres the same year. Last win was the Macau Gr 2 Directors Cup over 1500m April 28 last year. Resumed from a lengthy spell with an eye catching 7/12 beaten 3 ¼ lens behind dead heaters Mister Kaopu and Obrigado Mais on January 19. Latest run was a creditable fifth beaten 3 ½ lens behind Horse Of Fortune in the Macau – HK Trophy at Taipa March 3 on an unsuitable heavy track. Still working with plenty of zest and will give a good account of himself here again.
Mister Kaopu
Classy sprinter who has won 9 races in Macau and placed on 5 occasions in the enclave. Dead heated four starts back with Obrigado Mais over 1200m on a good track. Then followed with a sound fourth to Bring Me Speed carrying 133 pounds beaten 2 ¼ lens. Scored a nose win in the Chairman’s Challenge Cup (Macau Group 1) on March 3 on equal weights. Has speed and will go forward. The Sha Tin 1400 might be a question mark; however has won over 1350 metres in Australia and placed at 1500 metres in Macau.
Pearl Green
Macau Derby (Macau Group 1) winner last season and has put together an impressive record of 9 wins and 8 placings from just 19 race starts. Runs this season have been first class with a nose second to Krystrump over 1500m on October 27 when looked in need of the run. Then chased home the highly regarded Sacred Capital over 1500m on February 3, before a game third beaten one length behind Horse Of Fortune on the Macau Group 1 Macau-HK Trophy on March 3. Latest was an effortless win in the Directors Cup (Macau Group 2) Over 1500 metres on April 13. Races handy and the best of the Macau runners.
Wichita Linesman
A group 1 winner of The Star Of The Sand Stakes back in November 2017 but has found it tough going since then. Showed a glimpse of his old self when he raced on the speed and easily won in Class 1 over 1800 metres on March 16, then failed in latest run when fifth beaten 7 ¼ lens behind Pearl Green in the Directors Cup over 1500 on April 13. Will find in tough here.
Duke Da Vega
In superb form with 4 wins and 3 seconds from last eight starts. Latest win was another tough effort when a nose win over Benevolent Friend at 1510m on sand February 22. Was not suited on the very heavy track in latest start when seventh beaten 15 ¾ lens to Pearl Green Directors Cup. Continues to rise to the occasion and has gone from a rating of 63 at the start of the season to his present mark of 96. A turf winner at 1350 metres at Doomben when he beat HK Derby winner Ted (Ping Hai Star) in his young days but seems to excel on the all-weather nowadays.
*Comments are provided by the Macau Jockey Club
