Apprentice jockey Nichola Yuen Hang-yiu wrote a new page in the history books by soaring to her first Hong Kong victory on just her second ride at Sha Tin’s all-weather meeting on Wednesday night.

The 25-year-old handled her first race meeting in Hong Kong like an ultimate professional, guiding Pi Legend to a maiden local victory with a beautifully-rated ride in section two of the Class Four Ma Tau Wai Handicap (1,200m) for trainer Dennis Yip Chor-hong.

“I’m very excited. I can’t believe that at my first meeting here in Hong Kong I’ve got a win straight away,” Yuen said.

“I’m very happy to have the opportunities – and for Mr Yip of course. Thank you so much to the Hong Kong Jockey Club Apprentice Jockeys’ School, [headmistress] Ms Amy Chan [Lim-chee] and [chief riding instructor] Mr Felix Coetzee – they’ve really taught me a lot and I’m very grateful.”

Yuen worked to the lead smartly from a wide draw of 12 and gave the $2.4 favourite Pi Legend a perfectly-judged ride, relaxing him in front and kicking strongly in the straight to hold off Speedy Smartie by a length and a quarter.

“I just went with the flow, just like Mr Yip said, to jump fast and go with the flow. I’m very glad that the horse gave me a nice kick to travel on the bridle and the response and momentum was very nice when I go to the front,” Yuen said.

“I had a very settled pace in front and was able to give him a breather by the home turn and he gave me a good kick. Obviously, he’s dropping in class so it was very nice to have the opportunity from Mr Yip. The horse gave me a nice feeling and he hit the line very strong.”

After riding winners in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, it was a poignant moment for Yuen as she crossed the finish line first to break through in her hometown of Hong Kong.

“I looked at the screen and I was pretty sure I had won the race. I’ve been waiting for this for quite a while, so it’s been very emotional,” Yuen said.

Chan was thrilled with the performance from Yuen and credited the apprentice and fellow mentors for her level of preparation.

“It’s a proud moment. She was drawn in a very wide gate, but she did very well. She had plenty of experience overseas; we want them to be ready to come back to Hong Kong,” Chan said.

“The apprentices are very well prepared, Felix spends a lot of time on technique with them – mentally and physically they’re all very well prepared. I’m very thankful for Dennis to give her such a good ride.”

While a drop in class and 10lb claim was certainly beneficial, Yuen gave Pi Legend every opportunity for Yip and was rewarded accordingly.

“Last time he ran well in a Class Three, but it was a very strong race and probably Class Two standard, so dropping in grade with Nichola’s 10lb claim, I hoped it would be easy,” Yip said.

“She followed all my instructions perfectly – she’ll be a good jockey in time.”

Yip went on to clinch a brace with recent stable transfer Natural High, who struck on his second run back from a left fore ligament injury under Jerry Chau Chun-lok in the first section of the Ma Tau Wai Handicap.

It was the first time since 1999 that two local female jockeys rode winners on the same card, with apprentice Britney Wong Po-ni saluting aboard Igor Stravinsky in the third section of the Ma Tau Wai Handicap.

That was the second leg of a landmark Tony Cruz double – the first being Viva Chaleur’s opening-race win – with the legendary trainer becoming the third handler to reach 1,600 winners in Hong Kong.

“The Jockey Club have given me the opportunity to be a trainer for such a long time and eventually I’ve reached this mark – I have to thank the Jockey Club for that. I just wish I can keep on going and win more races – that’s what the game is about: winning races, and that’s my job,” Cruz said.

“I’m the longest standing jockey and trainer in Hong Kong, I’m talking about 55-56 years. The Jockey Club has given me the opportunity and I’ve gone and broken some records.”

David Eustace and Richard Kingscote both rounded out the night by celebrating a double with Loch Tay in the card closer. Eustace also scored with Hailtothevictors while Kingscote saluted on board Leslie earlier in the night.