Danesis, a highly bred son of the late, great sire Danehill, scored a dominant win in the Privilege Handicap for Class Two horses and it was Coetzee's understanding of the big stallion that made the difference in a pace-related race.

Danesis is the source of a lot of pride for the men behind the Hong Kong International Sale, not only being a former record-priced graduate but now the biggest earner from the 2006 sale for the current season, earning him the special Jockey Club HK$1 million bonus with this, his fourth victory.

Cruz was delighted that the handsome big bay half-brother to top sire Dehere was back in form because it all looked pretty bleak after this year's Hong Kong Derby.

"He made it to the Derby field, but Felix wasn't able to ride him because of his commitment to [winner] Helene Mascot," Cruz said. "Danesis got down in the gates and we later found he'd fractured his pelvis. It was one hell of a setback and the rehabilitation took quite some time, starting with a month of box rest.

"The worse thing with a big horse like him is he really stacked on the weight while standing around idle."

Working with stable vet Ben Mason, Danesis' pelvis healed in the predicted manner and then the job was to get the big horse - all 1,280 pounds of him - fully fit again.

"He was a bit too fresh and keen when he resumed last start, but that run did him the world of good and he was much more like the real Danesis today," Cruz said. "I'm really looking forward to training this horse next season because I think there's a good race in him, and I know he'll be even better at 2,000 metres."

Coetzee has gained a horseman's satisfaction at turning around a heartbreaking sequence of minor placings for the Sean Woods-trained Sohna, who landed his maiden win at the 23rd time of asking.

"I got a big, big thrill out of that," said the champion South African horseman. "He's been holding his form for a long time, so he's a credit to Sean, but he just hasn't been able to win.

"I asked Sean if he'd agree to me not using the whip, because I felt he wasn't enjoying it.

"We basically had to go back from the wide barrier [14] and he settled last, in a slowly run race, so he's done a good job to win.

"We saved a lot of ground through the field around the turn when a lot of them went wide. I was able to time it right and keep at him, but no stick, and he dived at Moshi Moshi to get up right on the line - very exciting, very satisfying."

The middle pin of Coetzee's treble was Macho Expresso, another to resign his local maiden status under the hands of the 49-year-old master.

"He relaxed in front and didn't worry when Dream Horse was up outside us. He was nice on the bridle turning for home and when I went for him, at the 300 metres, he had a kick and that was all we needed."