So often the feature event of a big race day can disappoint. Not last Sunday at Sha Tin.
There is no arguing that we were treated to a high-quality card at the weekend and Indigenous followed the sponsor's script to the letter, producing not only a thrilling win in the San Miguel Silver Tankard but a top-class performance as well.
On another red-letter day for champion trainer Ivan Allan, Indigenous was brought with a powerful run under champion jockey Basil Marcus from what looked like a desperate position on the home turn to touch-off Che Sara Sara (81) and Forest Spring (75).
There was never any likelihood of the great Co-Tack's track record being threatened, but the front two officially clocked one minute and 34.8 seconds for the 1,600-metre trip and that equals the previous best Class record held by Che Sara Sara.
Throw in the knowledge that the surface was riding no faster than good, despite the official description of 'good to firm', and the quality of the run starts to become clear. The effort earned Indigenous a Topspeed rating of 91 for his Silver Tankard victory.
That level of speed figure is undoubtedly out of the top-drawer, but let's put it into further perspective.
Sunday's effort rates in the top 10 recorded by a Hong Kong-trained horse this season, but it wasn't his best. Indigenous clocked a time figure of 95 in the International Vase last time out and had a rating of 94 to his name last season.