Andy Leung Ting-wah's speedster Kimberley Mines showed at Friday's trials that he is ready to pick up where he left off in his impressive last-start win.
Anton Marcus had the son of Western Winter quickly from the machine and never out of second gear to win the stronger second heat of two all-weather trials. But there were nice efforts behind him, including the minor placegetters Hidden Dragon and Super Sprint, as well as the John Size-trained Grand Delight.
Francis Lui Kin-wai's Hidden Dragon has not raced since his impressive win down the straight course but appeared to have no trouble with the bend on Friday as he just tracked around behind Kimberley Mines in an outing intended only to keep him humming for next week's Juvenile Sprint Trophy.
Both first and second have a high head-carriage but it hasn't hampered them to date and, like the winner, Hidden Dragon was not unnecessarily pressured.
Super Sprint moved stylishly through the trial and was never off the bridle either in third, although the smart miler Happy Momentum was ridden up in the stretch and probably could have done a little more in fourth.
Grand Delight, the former Australian Group One winner, finished seventh but looks to have made progress since his debut fourth at Sha Tin and Shane Dye had a good hold of him, wide at the back of the field. Turning for home, Dye gave Grand Delight the opportunity to make ground and he did so without pressure until the 200 metres, when allowed to find his own speed to the line again.