First starter De La Hoya, who earlier in the week Mason had considered as “having a big future”, romped home for victory in the 1200m maiden while older stablemate Hot Hit maintained his record of cheques from all five starts at Tamworth  by taking out the 1000m Easters Landscape Tamworth Rush.

Two from two ain’t bad but the likeable horseman can remember similar instances “quite a few years ago”.

“I took five to Inverell for five wins and three to Barraba for a treble another time. But they’re few and far between these days,” Mason joked.

For his win, five-year-old Hot Hit earned himself either a return trip to Brisbane or a crack at the upcoming Moree Town Plate.

“The Brisbane race is for non-metro wins,” Mason said. “Back in April he finished second up there. It’s either Brisbane or Moree.”

And while Hot Hit’s win wasn’t all that surprising (starting at $1.80fav), De La Hoya ($8) sealed Mason’s strong opinion of the four-year-old, part-owned by his daughter Aimee Mason.

“Robert (Thompson) was rapt in the win. He said he did it on raw ability, and can only get better as he gets older,” Mason said.

“He said Hot Hit’s win was gutsy too. He never moved or pulled the whip on him – reckoned it was one of his better wins.”

Earlier in the day it was an excited large Gosford syndicate that witnessed the Tony Newing-trained Impulsive Ways (Greg Ryan) take out the 1600m maiden plate.

“They’re a great syndicate – only new people to racing which is good for the industry,” Newing said.

“We were pretty confident as he’d progressed from an immature three-year-old to an encouraging midfield at Wyong when he raced three wide last start.

“We reckoned the step back a bit in class at Tamworth would suit. Greg (Ryan) said he was still immature, but would get a lot stronger after a spell, which he’ll probably have when the weather warms up a little – possibly after another start or two.”