WHEN trainer Wong Tang-ping calls on his one-time regular rider Tony Cruz to get aboard it usually means there is more than a hint of a winner in the air, writes Robin Parke.
There was a time when the A. S. Cruz name figured prominently against the majority of Ping's runners, but then came a split and they went their separate ways.
But in Hong Kong things have a way of getting back to where they were and Ping, who had a fabulous season last year, has been booking Cruz for some significant rides recently. The most obvious example was Amazing Grace last week which Cruz rode with the masterly skill - the trademark of the man.
Maiden Amazing Grace lost that unwanted tag and Cruz was the man the punters had to thank.
The champion jockey is now on topweight Red Star in the fourth event tonight and the seven-year-old New Zealand import does not have to improve a lot to snare the major prize.
Ridden at his first two starts this season by South African visitor Piere Strydom, Red Star showed up strongly last time out when finishing third, on the all-weather and over tonight's 1,650-metre trip, to Excel Treasure who ran fairly in better company last Saturday.
That particular quinella was split by Solar Century who re-opposes tonight on two pounds worse terms for having beaten Red Star home by a length and a half.
