Pak Lok Angel Sprints to Stakes Success

Kiwi galloper Pak Lok Angel (NZ) (Lucky Unicorn) showed an impressive turn of foot in a winning performance in the M$700,000 Listed Sand Specialist Stakes (1600m) in Macau last night.

Trained by Mr Chan Chun Fai, Pak Lok Angel has been the winner of seven races, this being his first success at stakes level. Racing in black type features in four of his last five starts, he was runner-up in the Listed Macau 4YO Prelude and fourth in the Listed Macau Derby to race rival Gold Alloy (NZ) (Testa Rossa).

Going forward in the early stages, Pak Lok Angel, ridden by Wayne Smith, began from barrier 8 in a 12-horse field to settle in third position behind race-favourite Gold Alloy and Korean Dream (Peace Rules) who showed the way.

Racing three-deep for most of the trip, Pak Lok Angel came off the turn for home strongly in pursuit of Gold Alloy, who had dashed to the lead. Sprinting five-lengths ahead, Gold Alloy did his best to ward off the late challenge of Pak Lok Angel but the kiwi galloper was too strong as he went on to win by a neck over Gold Alloy with Sheng Li Win (North Light) in third place.

Having raced 22 times, the four-year-old gelding has earned M$1,804,400 for his owner Lee Annie Angel.

Legends Bloodstock Ltd purchased Pak Lok Angel at the 2012 Karaka Select Sale for NZ$18,000 from Te Mania Thoroughbreds.

Bred by Mrs JM & Miss R Wilding, the son of Lucky Unicorn is out of winning mare Fools Gold (Royal Academy), who is a half-sister to stakes-winner Natural Woman (Generous), winner of the Group 3 Doomben Roses Stakes.

Early on the card New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run graduate Magical Choice (NZ) (Makfi) made a winning debut, winning the first race, the Macau Hyperion Handicap, to form a kiwi-bred trifecta with Jade Elite (NZ) (Rios) and fellow Ready to Run graduate The Precious Prime (NZ) (Testa Rossa).