It's no surprise the perpetually fit-and-ready-to-run stable of Tony Cruz has a history of firing at the season opening meeting at Sha Tin, and while he went home empty handed 12 months ago, yesterday's treble put things right and restored his "first-up" reputation.
Last season aside, Cruz has produced an exceptional day one record in recent years, having had 10 wins in the previous 10 season openers, and maiden victories to Roman Legend and Majestic Anthem were then capped by a Class Two triumph to the smart sprinter Beauty Sparkle.
"We came with big expectations and we got the results," Cruz said. "Any race is great, but it gives everyone a good feeling around the stable to win on this day. We are looking forward to a big season. We've got some momentum."
Reigning champion apprentice Dicky Lui Cheuk-yin could now be called on more by Cruz - he had only ridden for him four times previously - after his ride on Roman Legend. "The claim made all the difference," Cruz said. "We will look to go 1,000m in Class Three again at Sha Tin and I think Dicky will be on again."
Through his link with master Ricky Yiu Poon-fai, Lui was aware of the speed of short-priced favourite Yat Ding Win and made sure he kept in close proximity, scooting across from gate two to apply pressure to the leader, who gave in meekly and was later found to have blood in his trachea.
"I know my boss' horse is quick - but my horse is also quick," Lui said. "So my plan was to stick to wherever Yat Ding Win went, so it was important that I didn't have a slow beginning."
Matthew Chadwick punched home two of the Cruz-trained winners - Majestic Anthem and Beauty Sparkle - and said Cruz's roster had a nice early-season look about it.
"These horses today could have something more to offer and there's a few new recruits with Tony that look good, too," he said.
Not only has four-year-old International Sale graduate Majestic Anthem matured physically over the past few months, but some of the quirks that stopped his progress in his first term seem gone.
At his fifth start, the son of Dubawi showed ability to race handy but still relax, telling Chadwick he will be looking for farther in the future.
"He takes his time to get into his run. He leaves it until the final 200m or even 100m - at the turn he still wasn't getting going. I think an extra furlong will help him."
Cruz agreed Majestic Anthem would get a mile or even 1,800m and indicated there would be further improvement from the gelding.
"He was still very weak last year. He has developed and become a lot stronger. We will stick to Sha Tin with him. He is sure to get to a mile and maybe even further in time," Cruz said.
Beauty Sparkle was sent around odds-on and put straight on to the speed by Chadwick - not that he had to ask for much from the five-year-old to get there.
"He just got there himself. He has a lot of early pace," the jockey said after Beauty Sparkle ran 56.51 for the 1,000m.
The question for Beauty Sparkle now is how the winner of three from nine will handle a ratings jump into the 90s and being stretched beyond 1,000m.
"He is a really nice horse and he is still improving. I don't think 1,200m will be a problem for him in the future. He has been placed over the trip before," Cruz said.
