Flashy grey atones for last-start defeat, breaking through for Moore

John Moore was rueing a missed opportunity last start for Pablosky, but the flashy grey made amends with a stylish Class Three win on the dirt yesterday. The son of Mastercraftsman was caught behind runners last time and closed off nicely, but made all yesterday to break through. "He's a horse that needs plenty of room," Moore said. "The other day, Nash Rawiller wasn't able to find a passage until too late, so today, I told Joao [Moreira], if he jumps just lead. He's the perfect dirt horse - big feet and a high knee action." Andrew Hawkins

Race just right for Almond Lee's seven-year-old

Almond Lee's quest to hold on to his permit kept ticking over as King On Earth took advantage of a "Goldilocks scenario" to take the turf Class Five over 1,400m and lift the stable win tally to four. Seasons of 11 wins and then 12 wins last term have left him short of the performance benchmarks twice and a third failure to meet the required 15 wins would lead to a 'show cause' hearing to determine if he remains licensed but Lee is chipping away and, with 34 horses listed under his care, he does have the numbers to rescue things. "King On Earth was very fit at his fifth run for the season and this race was just right - the way it was run suited the style of the horse and he was in just the right position," Lee said. Alan Aitken

2012 HK Derby victor begins New Zealand career with a win

2012 Hong Kong Derby winner Fay Fay made a triumphant return to racing in New Zealand yesterday, winning the Group Two Tauranga Stakes (1,600m) for Derek Cruz's sons Trevor and Martin. Formerly with John Size, the Derby victor was plagued with joint issues and went winless in 12 subsequent runs, last seen finishing eighth to California Memory in the 2013 Champions & Chater Cup. "Two and a-half months ago we considered retiring him - even getting him to the races is a victory in itself," Trevor Cruz told NZ Racing. Andrew Hawkins