Top spot for trainer Cruz
DEREK Cruz matched his brother Tony and moved joint top of the trainer standings with a 20-1 double at Sha Tin yesterday.
Tony Cruz who rode Sky High to victory in the seventh, leads the jockey standings.
Derek Cruz scored with Wind Dancer in the feature Association of Hongkong Racing Journalists Cup and Our Pal in the last.
Cruz has now trained 23 winners in his second season with a licence and is one of the most dramatic success stories in recent years for local figures in the racing game.
''I'm pretty happy, I can tell you that,'' beamed Cruz after racing. ''I hope to stay at the top, too. I won't be laying off the pace, I will be in there fighting all the way to the last race on the very last day.'' Wind Dancer provided brilliant visiting English jockey Alan Munro with a last-day winner.
Munro gave his mount another consummate ride and leaves Hongkong for America today with 11 winners under his belt during his truncated three-month stint.
''I would just like to go on record and say what a great job he has done for me,'' added Cruz. ''We struck up a fine understanding and he's an exceptional talent. He learns so fast.'' Declan Murphy also excelled on Our Pal in the last for Cruz. Murphy gave him the perfect sit off the pace before producing him with a well-timed challenge to run down the heavily-backed Planet in the final 200 metres.
