Tony Cruz's training record of 91 winners from 78 meetings is probably safe for this year, according to the only man qualified to equal it. Cruz will open up his new season tomorrow with runners in seven of the nine races, but predicts his season will only reach critical momentum mid-term.
'My stable is not yet full and I have some new horses that have not even arrived in Hong Kong,' Cruz said yesterday. 'The other factor is that because of the way the stable performed last year, I don't really have many horses in Classes Four and Five. They've mostly won their way out of the lower classes. Next Wednesday night at Happy Valley, for example, I'll only have two runners. So, I don't think there is anything else that can happen than for my season to start slowly. I'll only have a limited number of starters for the first six weeks or two months.'
Cruz stressed, however, that stating the reality of the situation is no form of capitulation. Far from it. In fact, you sense that famous Cruz competitive spirit and steely resolve trying to break through and snuff out the common-sense argument.
'Obviously, I want to retain the title [as champion trainer]. But I do think it will be later in the season when I make my mark,' he said.
During the summer break Cruz, along with wife Paulene and their adult children Antonia and Sean, went on a family holiday to the alpine region of New Zealand's South Island.
'We had a great time and did a number of things we've never done before, which always makes a holiday special and more memorable,' he said. 'It was a wonderful break, the skiing was marvellous and we all had a great time. I'm all freshened up and raring to go.'
The stable flag-bearer Silent Witness shows no sign of faltering on his path to immortality, judging by his effortless win in a barrier trial on turf at Sha Tin last Saturday.
