Size landed three in tandem with Douglas Whyte, taking the opener with Brilliant Treasure, the second with Rare Treasure and the Swaine Cup later in the day with promising three-year-old Ichiban, appropriately on Chairmen's Day for former Jockey Club chairman Ronald  Arculli.

"He's only a young horse, I do like him and he does look like he has a future as a stayer," Size said. "He surprised us a bit by how far back he got last time over the mile but from a better draw today, Douglas was able to have him much closer and not have so much to do when they straightened."

Whyte said Ichiban might only have had five starts but he had come a long way from his early days already.

"He's a miracle man, John Size - Ichiban used to do a few ordinary things at the trials and had a mind of his own when he started off," Whyte explained. "That was why we tried blinkers on him early, which did backfire, but it has been a mental struggle with him as much as anything.

"He's going to really appreciate 2,000m next season and, as he goes on - while I don't like to get too far ahead of things with young horses - I can't help thinking that a race like that Queen Mother's Cup today would suit him.

"He'd just go to sleep at 2,400m then really let go at the finish."

The two "Treasures" who opened the day are certainly at opposite ends of the racing spectrum, with Rare Treasure taking his time to get to the races after problems with feet and a suspensory ligament but his debut victory as a rising five-year-old yesterday showed that he had not run out of time. Perhaps the same isn't true of Brilliant Treasure.

"John told me that Brilliant Treasure might feel a bit rough and going to the gates he felt like he had a punctured wheel, but that's just him," Whyte said. "Right place, right time and he has finally won a race today. He's pretty limited though and even as good as John is, I don't know how many more days there'll be."

Size said the kindness of the track early in the day might have been a telling factor in the victory.

"He's had a lot of racing before he's found a win but he has been very consistent and honest," the trainer said. "The race wasn't very strong today and having first use of the track before the heat took that little bit of moisture out of it was probably a positive for him and allowed him to stretch out.

"As for Rare Treasure, well, he's had his share of problems. He did show good ability in a trial in New Zealand but that was a long time ago now. He's probably not a 1,200m horse, but he travels quite strong on the track so kicking him off at that distance today allowed him to get balanced and still show his strength at the end. He's taken some time to get over his injuries but he's on his way now."