In a meeting of historic generational achievement, Tony Cruz became only the third trainer to saddle 1,600 wins in Hong Kong and apprentice Nichola Yuen completed a dream introduction into the jurisdiction with her first victory at Sha Tin’s all-dirt meeting on Wednesday night.

Cruz, 69, joined John Moore (1,735 wins) and John Size (1,645) as the only trainers to prepare 1,600 wins or more after teaming with Britney Wong to win the third section of the Class 4 Ma Tau Wai Handicap (1200m), marking the first time two homegrown female apprentices have ridden winners on the same card in Hong Kong since the turn of the century.

Already one of the most decorated figures in Hong Kong racing with six jockey championships and 946 wins in the saddle, Cruz is also a dual Hong Kong Champion Trainer (1999/00 & 2004/05) and was elated to reach the 1,600-victory milestone.

“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. 

“I knew the horse could handle the dirt but with the drop in class, I needed a claimer to ride him because he can’t win with 135 pounds. With seven pounds off, Britney is the one who could make it happen. 

“I believe she’s like Hollie Doyle, she’s got strength and power. She’s very forceful in a finish and she can ride hard – the horse needs this kind of jockey.”

Among The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s first intake into the Apprentice Jockeys’ School in 1972, Cruz started the meeting on 1,598 winners as a trainer and first struck when Viva Chaleur (118lb) broke through at his 36th Hong Kong start to win the Class 5 Shek Kip Mei Handicap (1200m) under Andrea Atzeni.

Formerly known as Trident when trained by Andre Fabre in France, the Wootton Bassett gelding was runner-up in the 2021 G1 Prix Morny (1200m) as a two-year-old. Dogged by throat and ligament issues since arriving in Hong Kong on a rating of 82, the seven-year-old scored tonight on a mark of 22.

Yuen took only two rides to open her winning account in Hong Kong with a brilliant tactical ride on Dennis Yip’s PI Legend (125lb) in the second section of Class 4 Ma Tau Wai Handicap (1200m).

Adding to the 77 wins she accrued overseas – 61 in Australia, 10 in New Zealand and seven in South Africa – as part of her training for riding in Hong Kong, Yuen allowed PI Legend to balance from barrier 12 before taking a lead he would never relinquish, clocking 1m 08.68s.

“It’s very unbelievable. I’m really grateful to have the opportunity from Mr Yip and being able to ride comfortably and confidently,” Yuen, 25, said of the victory. “I’m very excited. I can’t believe that at my first meeting here in Hong Kong, I’ve got a win straight away.

“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 School, Miss Amy Chan and Mr Felix Coetzee – they’ve really taught me a lot and I’m very grateful.

“I did a lot of homework, and I have lots of experience overseas, so I think I learned a lot there. It’s really helpful for me to step on this bigger stage, it’s good for me as well.”

Having finished fourth on Double Bingo (117lb) behind Viva Chaleur in her debut ride in the opening race on the card, the Class 5 Shek Kip Mei Handicap (1200m), Yuen was undeterred by PI Legend’s wide draw three races later.

“It was a tricky gate today and my horse (PI Legend) is an on-pace horse, but I could see that there were two on-pace horses on my inside, so I actually had to watch them as well,” she said.

“But the horse gave me a very good feeling after the jump. He gave me a very good momentum to kind of just slide in front and just keep on pushing. So, the horse helped me and helped himself as well. We both saved our energy by getting to the front and getting a nice tempo and he got his breather so he could give a very nice kick in the end.”

Triumphant by a length and a quarter over Speedy Smartie (133lb) and Flowing Riches (125lb), Yuen glanced at the infield screen for confirmation of the win as PI Legend surged clear.

“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,” she said.

Yip said: “Last time he (PI Legend) ran well in a Class 3, but it was a very strong race and probably Class 2 standard, so dropping in grade with Nichola’s 10-pound claim, I hoped it would be easy. She followed all my instructions perfectly – she’ll be a good jockey in time.”

Wong, who was injured in a barrier mishap in November, said: “Obviously, I came back from injury and it’s good to get the ball rolling after a big break. I’m very grateful to have my first ride for Tony and I’m very happy to get my first winner for him.

“It’s a very memorable day for me and hopefully we can get back to a strong run again.”

Yip sealed a double when Natural High (125lb) powered home late to clinch the first section of the Class 4 Ma Tau Wai Handicap (1200m) to extend Jerry Chau’s lead over Vincent Ho to seven wins – 34 to 27 – in the battle for the Tony Cruz Award as leading homegrown jockey.

Hailtothevictors (129lb) finished powerfully under Luke Ferraris to land the Class 5 Yue Wan Handicap (1650m) for David Eustace before Michael Chang’s Leslie (120lb) stormed from the rear of the field under Richard Kingscote to win the Class 4 Nam Shan Handicap (1650m).

Zac Purton combined with Ricky Yiu’s Victory Sky (129lb) to win the Class 3 Choi Hung Handicap (1200m) before Eustace and Kingscote notched doubles with Loch Tay’s (122lb) narrow success in the Class 3 Choi Wan Handicap (1650m).

Hong Kong racing continues on Easter Monday (6 April) with the G2 Sprint Cup (1200m) and the G2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m).