The best racehorse at Sha Tin yesterday didn't appear on any list at the off-course betting centres. Champion mare Elegant Fashion graced the course proper 90 minutes before the first race and underlined precisely why trainer David Hayes is sending her to Melbourne for the A$3 million W.S. Cox Plate at Moonee Valley. Elegant Fashion, ridden by Gerald Mosse, trashed stablemate Fantastic Win in a gallop over 1,200 metres in one minute and 15.4 seconds, the final 400 metres in 22.9 seconds. 'She was absolutely brilliant,' Hayes enthused later. 'It was as good as she's ever gone. But she had to do it on her own because the other horse was no use to her whatsoever - he couldn't keep up.' Elegant Fashion is already in quarantine before departing for Melbourne for the October 23 race. The Cox Plate is the only Australian leg of the World Racing Series and her presence is creating a huge amount of interest Down Under. Elegant Fashion is a proven commodity over the course and distance of the Cox Plate, having won the Moonee Valley Oaks around that precise circuit 21/2 years ago. Win, lose or draw at Moonee Valley, Elegant Fashion will be back in Hong Kong for the $18 million Hong Kong Cup (2,000 metres) on international day. Hayes celebrated Elegant Fashion's brilliant gallop by welcoming his first winner of the season in the Class Five contest, when Sunday Delight ($83.50) belatedly won his first race in Hong Kong. Sunday Delight's sire, European champion sprinter Anabaa, is better known in Hong Kong for his classy gallopers like Precision and Anabatik. But it's safe to say the race three hero has always been, and will continue to be, several grades below his higher-profile blood relatives. 'It's good to see him finally win a race and nice for the stable to break the ice for the season,' said Hayes, who'd been enduring some good-natured ribbing about his failure to land a winner at any of the first five meetings of the new term. 'I've always thought he's better than a Class Five horse so, now that he's broken through, maybe he can win another one.' Stable jockey Mosse was superb in victory, with the classy Frenchman handing out separate lessons to two apprentices on the way to victory. First, he beat seven-pound claimer Paul Lo Pak-hin (Elvis) to a run in the straight, and was then far too accomplished and experienced in a driving finish for young Alex Lai Hoi-wing (Sweetie). Sean Woods and brother Wendyll also opened their account for the new season with favourite Agility ($24.50) in the eighth. The Australian-bred four-year-old had been soundly beaten when fifth to Asali at his first run back this term, but it was a much more seasoned campaigner who stepped out yesterday. 'He wanted to go a bit keenly first-up and that told against him in the final stages,' Sean Woods said. 'Today, there was a strong speed and he settled nicely. Once he did that, he ran right up to his ability. 'Last season, as a three-year-old, he did a really good job, winning four races. Now as a four-year-old, he's that much stronger and mature - I'm sure he can go through to Class One without any problems.' Derek Cruz may have expected Green Treasure to win the ninth event, but the sheer authority of the five-length margin may have come as a surprise. 'He's quite a big horse, quite heavy, and his first-up run was quite pleasing but he did need more work,' Cruz explained. 'So, we gave him plenty of work after that race and the step up to 1,600 metres today really suited him. I think even further will, too. 'Last season, he was a bit nervous and wanted to pull in his races, so I kept him to shorter distances. But he has come back much more relaxed after the summer break and I think, in time, he will stay all day.'