John Moore has always been one of the trainers to watch on opening day and kept his record intact with a three-timer that tipped his first-day winning percentage over 20 per cent in recent years, reports the Racing Post in Hong Kong. It says: "Well, that's a percentage that I'd love to be able to keep all season," he laughed after stable rider Darren Beadman landed Sunny Smiles and Holey Dollar, and Moore "borrowed" apprentice Derek Leung Ka-chun from Paul O'Sullivan to bring

John Moore has always been one of the trainers to watch on opening day and kept his record intact with a three-timer that tipped his first-day winning percentage over 20 per cent in recent years, reports the Racing Post in Hong Kong.

It says: "Well, that's a percentage that I'd love to be able to keep all season," he laughed after stable rider Darren Beadman landed Sunny Smiles and Holey Dollar, and Moore "borrowed" apprentice Derek Leung Ka-chun from Paul O'Sullivan to bring home Sea Prince in the last race. "It's always nice to get a good start and we've managed to keep up the stable tradition today."

Sunny Smiles was having his first run for Moore after a stable transfer and the trainer said the drop to Class Five and the fact that he had been able to get some more muscle onto the gelding's frame had paved the way to the Flying Spur gelding's second win in 18 starts.

"The public had probably lost some confidence in Sunny Smiles but he was carrying a bit more bulk than previously and he had showed a little change of gears in his work that made him look pretty well placed in the lowest grade," Moore said. "There were a few worries for Darren at the 350m but he managed to get him clear and Sunny Smiles showed enough turn of foot to get through and win."

Holey Dollar is another relatively recent acquisition for Moore, too, after failing to fire for Andreas Schutz, and his manners have only improved marginally with Moore.