THE renaissance of the Tony Cruz-trained Pakistan Star continued in style at Sha Tin last Sunday, as arguably the most popular horse in this part of the world – certainly the most discussed – capped his topsy-turvy season with a comfortable win in the Group 1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup over 12 furlongs.

Gone, for now, are the days of the roguish Pakistan Star; the 2016 Hong Kong International Sale graduate gave his supporters arguably their easiest watch yet. Settling second, never more than three lengths off Exultant’s even tempo, jockey Tommy Berry tracked up ominously on the bend as his four rivals resorted to a vigorous drive.