Exciting English import Key Largo can show the benefit of patient handling by posting a debut Hong Kong victory in today's fifth event.
Key Largo, whose only overseas success was a modest auction event at the Yorkshire track of Pontefract, was brought to Hong Kong last season but trainer David Hill decided against racing him.
He said: 'I spoke to the owners and we agreed that it would be better to give the horse a bit of time. I have seen careers of horses affected by racing too soon and when they are not acclimatised.
'It can pay to be patient in this game and I certainly hope that the owners in particular will benefit from this approach,' said Hill.
Key Largo is owned by Nick Etches who formerly raced the top sprinter Red Ruffian in partnership and has horses in England.
Key Largo showed he wasn't too ring rusty in his first start in 11 months when he flew home for third to Rory's Bid in a 1,200-metre event at Sha Tin last month.
He came from last in the small field to power to the line leaving nobody in any doubt that he knows what the game is about and also that more distance is required.
