'It's very satisfying to be able to start the new season on such a positive note,' says Australian maestro
The paving around the Sha Tin winner's circle may have started the day brand new but by nightfall, John Moore had worn away a path that was uniquely his own, with the Australian leading in four winners in a sparkling first-day training performance.
Moore, 53, is renowned for his ability to get his horses fit and winning in the opening meetings of the season but yesterday, he simply excelled himself.
Moore's four-timer was within a whisker of a career-equalling best of five, as Vital Patrol was nosed out of first prize in the fifth event by Happy Together (Brett Prebble) in a deceptive, head-bobbing finish.
Three of Moore's quartet of winners - Able Prince, Master Marauder and Able Choice - were handled by Michael Rodd, who equalled his performance at the corresponding meeting last season when he also landed a treble. His other winner, Win Again, was handled by Frenchman Eric Saint-Martin.
It was very much par for the course for Moore, who trained a double on the opening day of the season with Winning Parade and Lucky Lad, and a treble on the corresponding programme in 2003 (Winning Parade, Ever More and Strongheart). 'Well, that was a really great day - everything just seemed to go right,' a beaming Moore said after the final event, in which he welcomed Strong Sun back to the third-placegetter's stall.