For a horse who has always carried a decent reputation, it has taken the Francis Lui Kin-wai-trained Smiling Watch a long time to break his maiden status. Part of a double for Weichong Marwing, Smiling Watch had only raced six times before swooping from the back half of the field to win, but it does seem longer than 10 months since he made his debut as a well-backed third to Wah May Star in July last year. Along the way, he took part in the December three-year-old race won by Fionn's Dragon that has proved a good form reference, with Smiling Watch the last of the six to win a race since. 'It wasn't a great field and he has taken his time to win one but I think he'll take a lot of confidence from that,' said Marwing.