by Michael Burns

Top Hat led at every point of call to secure his second victory in the $168,634 Grande Premio ABCPCC Matias Machline (Brz-G1) on Saturday at Cidade Jardim.

The Matias Machline was the highlight of the Copa dos Criadores card, Brazil's version of the Breeders' Cup World Championships.

Under Altair Domingos, the five-year-old Royal Academy horse dictated the pace en route to a 1 ¼-length triumph.Trained by Joao Macedo for Stud JCM, Top Hat completed 2,000 meters (9.94 furlongs) on firm turf in 1:59.63.

Winner of the 2006 Matias Machline and runner-up in last year’s edition, Top Hat has won ten of career 22 starts, including five stakes victories. Bred by Haras Sao Jose da Serra, Top Hat is out of the Effervescing mare Tavira.

Earlier on the card, Sorrentino proved much the best in the Grande Premio J. Adhemar de Almeida Prado – Taca de Prata (Brz-G1). Bred by Julio Bozano's Haras Santa Maria de Araras, the two-year-old Wild Event colt completed 1,600 meters (7.95 furlongs) in 1:32.78 on firm turf.

Maiden Cores do Brasil pulled away late to win the Grande Premio Margarida Polak Lara – Taca de Prata (Brz-G1) by three lengths. The two-year-old First American filly covered 1,600 meters (7.95 furlongs) in 1:34.53 to earn her first win in her fifth career start. She is out of the Choctaw Ridge mare Cores Do Ceu.

Sunday at La Gavea, Stud Estrela Energia’s Estrela do Oriente confirmed his status among the elite two-year-olds in Brazil by winning the 1,600-meter (7.95-furlong) Grande Premio Associacao Brasileira dos Criadores e Proprietarios do Cavalo de Corrida (Brz-G1). Estrela do Oriente improved to four wins in six career starts. 

Michael Burns is a South America-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent