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.

Photo: HKJC