Photogenic Figures again stuck his head out at just the right moment of a blanket finish to snare his second win and the Chinese New Year Cup yesterday. Figures (Douglas Whyte) had won over the same 1,400 metres course on International Day for trainer David Oughton when his was the nose in front of a wall of horses and he was again in the right place at the right time in a line of four yesterday. 'He's a real trier, that's for sure. Very tough,' said Oughton, who added that Figures was probably the first private purchase he had ever trained from New Zealand. 'They're pretty difficult to get a good horse off those New Zealanders - they usually want too much money if the horse is any good.' Figures had Group One placed form as a three-year-old in his homeland, where he was purchased for Oughton's yard by leading bloodstock agent, Henry Plumptre, who was also responsible for the likes of Charming City, Helene Vitality and Lifeline Express coming to Hong Kong. Figures had finished a close third in the Railway Handicap, New Zealand's biggest sprint race on New Year's Day last year, just behind Our Egyptian Raine, the mare who won two major sprints during the Melbourne spring carnival in November. 'The horse's form there was outstanding. He just needs a good draw to settle him a bit and get the best out of him and Douglas gave him a great ride,' Oughton said. 'I don't know if he'll outgrow that keenness and I doubt whether the horse would get any further than this trip anyway. He seems only a sprinter but he's done a good job so far to win two from seven and both runs this distance.' Oughton previously trained another 1,400 metres specialist, Made To Figure, for the syndicate which races Figures. It was the highlight on an otherwise disappointing day for champion jockey Whyte, who had four minor placings on the remainder of the card and was fourth on heavily-backed Bowin. Bowin, often well-bet in his races, had his price slashed to less than half his quote early in the day but found promising Sean Woods-trained Agility (Robbie Fradd) far too good in the eighth. 'He's still learning, he needs to learn to settle and just wanted to overrace today in the slow tempo of the race,' said Woods of the Langfuhr gelding who made it two wins from three starts yesterday stepping up to 1,400 metres. 'Agility is not number one amongst my babies but he has a good attitude to racing, is going the right way and he won't be overraced this year.' Fradd completed a double by winning for Tony Cruz on East Ocean Dragon in the fourth, part of a double for the trainer who also won with Better Boy (Felix Coetzee). 'East Ocean Dragon was badly held up and should have won last time. Actually both my winners today were unlucky last time,' Cruz said.
