Floral Pegasus emerged with a vice-like grip on Sunday's Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby after the celebrity draw for the HK$16 million classic yesterday.
Managing owner Jacky Chan Cheung-ming had the choice of either two or 11 for his all-conquering galloper and picked up the Mercedes model car that revealed the preferred inside alley.
'I don't normally worry much about barrier draws but this was an important one, and Mr Chan, well, he was the man,' said a beaming trainer Tony Cruz. 'If we were out in 11, it might have been a different ball game and I'm sure that's what the opposition was hoping for, but Mr Chan came through with barrier two and from here on, it should be pretty smooth sailing.'
Cruz said Floral Pegasus had brilliantly come through his final gallop at Sha Tin yesterday morning, edging out stablemate Supreme Class in a sharp breeze down 400 metres on the all-weather and clocking 21.6 seconds.
'It was exactly what I wanted, and he came through it perfectly,' said Cruz, who won the 2004 Derby with Lucky Owners.
John Moore promised more aggressive tactics with second favourite Viva Macau after Stanley Ho Hung-sun's expensive private purchase came up with barrier nine.
'Viva Macau has had two seconds so far, beaten by Floral Pegasus both times, but Floral Pegasus was first into the straight each time and I think it's a matter of us getting into the straight first and making Floral Pegasus chase us,' Moore said.