Richard Gibson had already proven he can source a quality pre-raced import from Europe with Group One winners Akeed Mofeed and Gold-Fun but the trainer seemed just as satisfied that two of his three winners on Saturday were unraced prospects purchased from Australia - even if they were lower grade victories.
Akeed Mofeed and Gold-Fun have put the third-year trainer's name up in lights - that duo both bought out of Ireland - and he has had huge success in turning around stable transfers, but the Englishman knows the sound foundation that a consistent supply of Private Purchase Griffins from the southern hemisphere can bring.
Gibson's record with unraced imports hasn't matched his top end success but wins to progressive-looking pair Full Talent and first-starter Incredible Fellow - both bought out of Australian barrier trials - gave Gibson a treble after Global Fame broke through earlier in Class Five.
"I'm extremely pleased that our Private Purchase Griffins are running so well - that's your bread and butter stuff," Gibson said. "Both horses have a very bright future."
Olivier Doleuze first steered Global Fame to victory and then brought up his 500th Hong Kong winner when he wrestled a wayward Incredible Fellow, who weaved a snake-like path all the way up the straight, but still notched a comfortable win on debut.
Doleuze does plenty of work with Gibson's horses in the mornings and, as a veteran of racing here, is qualified to comment on the value of being able to develop "52-raters".
"There is always that bit of hope and magic in a PPG," Doleuze said. "It's important for a stable to have that production line going. You look at John Size and what he has done, he can bring a new horse in and go bang, bang, bang - they can win you four, five or even six races. It also helps a trainer if a new horse can run well and win - it gives you a guide as to how good your other new horses are, and you know what to expect when they step out."
Both Gibson and Doleuze knew they had some untapped talent on their hands with Incredible Fellow, but the French jockey also had his hands full keeping the big grey going in a straight line and his mind on the job.
"That's why we put blinkers on him, because he was looking everywhere," Doleuze said. "He was only 80 per cent today and he is very, very green. He was nervous, but he surprised me with that effort. We won the race at the start, because if he didn't jump clean, I don't think he would have had the experience to move between horses."
On his milestone, the 41-year-old Doleuze said he was already looking to double his win tally.
"500 is a nice number but maybe I can get 1,000," he said. "I might be getting older, but I'll try."
