THE perfect timing of Tony Cruz is not confined to race-riding - he also knows exactly when to get aboard a horse that's ready to win.
And that is definitely the case with equitrack star House Honour who has been running above himself on the turf and looks to have the fourth event at Happy Valley tomorrow night almost at his mercy.
House Honour has probably exceeded expectations with his recent performances where he ran two very gutsy placings over 1,400 metres and 1,650 metres, the latter run a one-and-a-quarter-length runner-up to Golden Emperor a week ago.
In a controversial finish, House Honour was the subject of an unsuccessful objection by Alan Munro, rider of third-placed Silver Arrow. In fact, Vicki Choi, apprentice rider of House Honour, had kept a straight course and Silver Arrow had been inconvenienced by unplaced Purple Gold coming out underneath him.
House Honour, however, duly confirmed that he is in great racing heart at the moment and the switch to the equitrack mile is ideal.
He has a great record on the surface, winning at the very first time of asking over the less than suitable short sprint, and following that up last season with two successes from as many starts over tomorrow night's 1,600-metre trip.
Cruz, hunting for the title, is riding in top form at the moment and it will be a surprise if he doesn't get this fellow home. As far as Double Trio punters are concerned, House Honour looks a banker for the first leg of the exotic bet.