Any sports psychologist will tell you that winning becomes a habit for top athletes.
And the same applies to the top trainers and riders in the 'sport of kings'.
It is no stroke of fortune that Basil Marcus has been Hong Kong's champion rider for the best part of the past decade and while he mounts a serious challenge for this year's title, a former multiple-champion jockey, Tony Cruz (right) has his first trainers' premiership in his sights.
There was much conjecture when Cruz took out his trainers' licence as to whether he had what it takes to be a major force against some of the world's best mentors, but he silenced any critics with a highly successful first year.
And he now looks ready to make a serious assault on the title if yesterday's trackwork is any guide.
Several of his team were asked to do a little more than normal and none was more impressive than the consistent Full Metal Jacket as he went over 800 metres, quickening up the last 200 metres in good style.