THAT familiar David Hill end-of-season surge was only denied by the shortest of short heads at Sha Tin on Saturday when the nod went against William's Tact in the final event.
Never mind, there could be ample compensation on the way in the shape of another Hill-trained youngster, Gladstonian, who impressed at yesterday's trackwork session.
The four-year-old is entered for the Class Four 1,800-metre handicap in which he will be towards the top of the weights, having won two of his last three starts and only being denied a hat-trick by the progressive but somewhat wayward Super Delight who went on from his hard-fought defeat of Gladstonian to win his next race by six lengths.
Gladstonian's form looks good as he and Berkut pulled four lengths clear of Radiant Sun last time out and Radiant Sun ran a close second to the improving Fairmount a week ago.
So the form all around Gladstonian is working out very well and his supporters can also take heart from his trackwork.
Hill is a master trainer of these young horses, nurturing them through their first season and slowly improving them all through their second campaign.