Talented sprinter Beauty Waves made the perfect start to life with new trainer Tony Cruz, banking a tough win in Saturday’s Class One Pearce Memorial Challenge Cup (1,000m) at Sha Tin.

Recently transferred to Cruz after four wins for Pierre Ng Pang-chi, the Irish import enhanced his reputation as a straight-track specialist when he proved too slick for strong opposition in Saturday’s feature.

Backed from $6.9 to $3.7 late, Beauty Waves was sent forward by Alexis Badel to race on the speed and fought on gamely to beat $3.5 favourite Wunderbar by half a length.

“I was expecting him to run a big race,” Cruz said of the five-year-old, who won the Group Three National Day Sprint (1,000m) for Ng and Badel in October.

“I wasn’t really confident about the horse winning the race, but he showed today he’s got some ability and I believe I can get better results. I believe he can win more races.

“I’m so happy this horse came over [to my stable]. I liked this horse from the very beginning - I’ve been watching him in the past. He’s always a real speedy horse, like he showed today, and he won in good time. I believe he’s a 1,000m horse.”

Wunderbar launched a late challenge in the centre of the track but ultimately came up short, while Magic Control was beaten a length and a quarter in third.

Cruz said Beauty Waves would be aimed at 1,000m features next season, while Badel was over the moon to hop back aboard the son of Starspangledbanner.

“It’s good to be back on him. I’m grateful that Tony gave me the ride and he’s a talented horse and it was just a nice win,” the French jockey said.

“I’m doing the best I can to give my horses every chance and today it was good to win in such a good race.”

Beauty Waves capped a Sha Tin double for Cruz after his Australian import Gentlemen Legacy broke through at his fourth local start, claiming the Class Three Nam Chung River Handicap (2,000m) under Zac Purton.