Reigning champion John Moore was back in form with a four-timer at Sha Tin that might have heralded a stronger bond between the trainer and leading jockey Brett Prebble.
In the absence of injured Darren Beadman, Moore is keen to connect with a top pilot for his star-studded team and Prebble - who landed a brace on Admiration and Packing Whiz for Moore - has been just as keen.
'Brett has been texting me asking 'can I help out?' so I said to him that we should discuss it,' Moore (pictured) said, even after Prebble admitted to riding a poor race to win the final event.
'He came in and said it wasn't a great ride and I said to him 'well, we got the right result anyway, be happy'. There's no doubt I'll be using Brett more when he's available - I need a strong jockey and there is no-one stronger rider in Hong Kong right now.'
Prebble said his error had been in riding Packing Whiz handier than might have been expected.
'I rode him against his pattern because I didn't think it was a race he could get too far back and win. He's so quiet when you ride him in the mornings that I felt I'd be able to squeeze him early and still get him to relax - I was wrong,' Prebble said. 'It backfired and he pulled and revved the engine for a good 800m, so to do that and still win in a dogfight down the straight shows he has a bit of class.'
