Champion trainer David Hayes has wasted little time in warning challengers that they are going to find it hard to wrest his hard-won title away from him in the campaign ahead.
The popular Australian posted his first double of the season when handy veteran Helene Treasure (8-1) took the third event at Happy Valley last night under an excellent ride from champion jockey Basil Marcus, who also timed his run to perfection when taking the fifth with Yue Yee Master (10-1).
There was also the first taste of success this season for veteran trainer Bruce Hutchison and local handler, Chris Cheung.
Marcus has certainly been seen to advantage in the early days of the season - getting off the mark on opening day - and his patient tactics on sometimes suspect Helene Treasure paid handsome dividends in the Class Three, 1,650-metre event.
This was the six-year-old's first start for Hayes who said: 'He came to hand well and on his best form had to be a big chance. I have been pleased with his work.' Yue Yee Master started at a double figure quote, not least because the public could not see beyond Quick Commander (2-1 favourite), the $3.5 million sales-topper at the International Sales last December.
But trainer Tony Cruz may have some more anxious moments before the attractive son of Royal Academy really starts to pay his way.
