Japan's Horse Of The Year, Maurice, proved a class above his rivals when making his seasonal debut in Sunday's HK$14 million Grade 1 Champions Mile at Sha Tin.
Ridden by Joao Moreira after Ryan Moore was required in England for the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, the 5-year-old son of Screen Hero had a trouble free trip and never looked in any trouble.
Under a minimum of urging by Moreira, Maurice defeated Contentment (Hussonet) by two lengths with Packing Pins (Pins) three-quarter of a length back in third. (photo Grant Courtney)
Trained by Noriyuki Hori for Kazumi Yoshida, Maurice made it seven wins and four Group 1's in succession.
Last year he captured the Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo and the Mile Championship at Kyoto, before rounding out the season with a victory in the Hong Kong Mile.
The win advances Maurice's overall record to 9 wins and 1 third from 14 starts.
A 5yo entire, Maurice is a son of the 2008 Group 1 Japan Cup winner Screen Hero, himself a son of 4-time Group 1 winner Grass Wonder (USA) (Silver Hawk), who shuttled to Victoria for four seasons.
Maurice is out Mejiro Frances a daughter of Darley Stud's pensioned Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Carnegie.
His second dam Mejiro Monterey (Mogami) won four races in Japan including the Group II Copa Republica Argentina.