Trainer and former riding great Tony Cruz returns from Melbourne today to the news that his promising young stayer Country Boy broke through to win his maiden at Sha Tin. Country Boy (Felix Coetzee) took up the lead as is his usual pattern and was able to set the tempo to suit himself before holding out Got It Right over the 1,800 metres. 'Country Boy has always been a real grinder,' said Coetzee. 'From day one he always looked a stayer. It was a big help to get over and lead like that.' Cruz had filled a minor placing in last year's 'Legends' event for past champion jockeys during Melbourne Cup week at Flemington, and had to settle for third this time around. Riding old sprinter Lambada Boy on Saturday, Cruz chased home recentlyretired Englishman Jason Weaver and Australia's Mick Goreham. Lester Piggott was unplaced this year in the Legends but kept his record intact for having competed every year. Another horse who was never going to do anything but stay is the David Oughton-trained Not Guilty, who broke through for his first cheque in winning the first yesterday. Not Guilty stayed on too well after being handy throughout this time, after being lucky to even stay on his feet at his previous start. On that occasion, Not Guilty was badly checked twice within 200 metres and jockey Eric Legrix was forced to pull him out of the race. 'Last time - phew! We were lucky to come back OK. Today, we had no trouble and a good speed and he just kept going,' said Legrix. 'He is no star, but will run out the longer distances well. I'm happy.' John Moore was happy to hand the credit to a perfect ride from Gerald Mosse after Master Marauder led throughout for his second win. The gelding had won dictating the terms last season and was always going to be tough to beat when allowed to do the same yesterday. 'Gerald rated him perfectly in front. He set the speed and Master Marauder is always going to be competitive like that in this kind of grade,' Moore said. 'He is limited but he does his best and is very game. Hopefully, we can find another one for him this season.' It was case of returning to the scene of the crime for Brilliant Express as he made it two wins from as many starts down the 1,000 metres course. Tony Millard's gelding caused a surprise when he won his debut over the course for Australian rider Rodney Quinn, then didn't appreciate the tighter Happy Valley course when unplaced. Brilliant Express was back to his debut form yesterday for Quinn, squeezing into a narrow opening inside the final 150 metres to arrive and beat Ever More.
