Cruz scratchings prove costly

The Tony Cruz horses are costing the Jockey Club a pretty penny in late scratchings this season, with Very Fit's withdrawal at the gates yesterday as an odds-on chance leading to the return of $55 million in bets. That comes on top of $43 million returned last month when Perfect Partner was scratched before the start of the Stewards' Cup as a hot favourite.

The withdrawal of Very Fit didn't stop the Jockey Club's overall turnover being a $30 million improvement on last year's figure, though with the 11-race programme rescuing the situation.

But it was part of a rollercoaster ride on the day for stable jockey Felix Coetzee, who was on the wrong stable runner in the Gold Cup then had Very Fit miss his race and finished the day with just the griffin winner, Lucky Unicorn, to contemplate happily.

The Cruz-trained two-year-old never looked in much danger after starting odds-on in the opening race and brought the season's first juvenile event home in style.

'He was very well educated, he has a lovely temperament and that was a nice introduction to racing for him,' Coetzee said. 'His trials was good down the straight but he had definitely come on since then and looks a very smart young horse.'

In the Leung Kai-Fai colours made famous by Derby and Hong Kong Mile-winner Lucky Owners last season, the son of boom Australian stallion Redoute's Choice cruised in by over two lengths.