It was all about honesty and heart at Happy Valley last night as the low-key fixture celebrated the triers with big hearts as well as the benefits of a good draw.
Trainer Me Tsui Yu-sak led in a winning double with Mister Marc (Jack Wong Ho-nam) and Call Me Achiever (Brett Prebble), after both horses had enjoyed the ideal trip and gave their all.
"Mister Marc is so honest - you know every time you send him out, he's going to win a race, but which one you cannot be so sure," Tsui said.
"Tonight, he was very fit, he had the light weight with the apprentice rider and a good draw and that was enough. Last week, he led, but they went faster and he couldn't hold on. Tonight he could."
Not that long ago, Call Me Achiever had been regarded as a non-winner, but the gelding has put that right in just over a year, winning his fifth last night after being able to sit in behind rather than lead.
"The apprentice went pretty quick on Ocean Roar and I was happy to put my bloke in behind and let him relax for a change instead of leading - he saved his energy and finished it off better than usual," said Prebble, who was renewing his partnership with Tsui, a combination, which became noteworthy last season.
Likewise Derek Cruz and Caspar Fownes were keen to point out the big heart and honesty of their charges after wins by Superoi and Grace Heart, respectively, and both quietly wishing their horse came in a bigger size.
"Superoi isn't big, but he's all heart," said Cruz. "He hasn't been the best getting out at the start in the past, but Douglas Whyte was positive tonight and that certainly helped. Hopefully, he can win one or two more."
Fownes said Grace Heart, who weighs in just under 1,000 pounds, was difficult to keep condition on but had his share of ability.
"I think he's fairly progressive, I just wish I could put another 50 to 60 pounds on him, but he doesn't hold condition," he said.
"It is what it is, but he's doing a good job - three wins from eight starts. Some people might have thought he was a risk at 1,200m tonight because he has had three previous attempts and failed, but every time he had a wide draw and a tough run.
"Tonight from gate one was a different story - Joao was able to let him have a rest through the race and finish off, and he was strong."
With the Valley running slow times again, wins from two horses previously thought dirt specialists probably did not surprise, with Danny Shum Chap-shing taking the Community Chest Cup with the Racing Club-owned Young Ranger (Derek Leung Ka-chun) and Dennis Yip Chor-hong-trained Glorious Avenue (Alvin Ng Ka-chun) successful in the second.
"I wasn't worried about coming to Happy Valley to race - Glorious Avenue had trialled very well here," said Yip, who might run the gelding again next week. "His problem now is the rating will go up and he is in Class Three, but he is fit."
Wong added the final winner, Fat Choy Hong Kong, for Yip as well, giving trainer and rider doubles, the second time this season already for the 10-pound claiming jockey.
Whyte also claimed a pair on Gary Ng Ting-keung-trained Novel Start and Superoi - the only two to win from draws wider than five - and that was enough to give him the Jockey Challenge.
