Speedy Blaze King looks a class above rest at the trials
Straight-track speedster Blaze King followed an ultra-impressive grass trial with a dominant display on the dirt at yesterday's Sha Tin barrier trials.
The Tony Cruz-trained six-year-old showed rivals a clean pair of heels in winning his 1,050m heat, streaking away to score by 10 lengths, eased down late by Matthew Chadwick, and clocking 1.01.0 on a damp all-weather track.
Back on September 4 he was a short-head second to subsequent Chief Executive's Cup winner Joy And Fun in an 800m turf jump-out.
He can't get over ground, but look for him back over his favoured distance of 1,000m.
Under-performing Gracytom (rating 40) was another to produce an eye-opening trial (1,050m), winning by six lengths in 1.01.8. The effort indicates significant off-season improvement and that more positive riding tactics could be employed in future. The first heat over 1,050m saw a talented group resuming. The John Size-trained Entrapment beating home experienced sprinter Dim Sum from the John Moore yard.
Paul O'Sullivan's lightly raced five-year-old New Vision (Zac Purton) was the surprise though, finishing close up in third, ahead of Hong Kong Mile winner Beauty Flash.
New Vision has won two of nine, but has been beaten in five tries in Class Three, starting favourite on four of those occasions. His trial would indicate he can break through from a mark of 75.
Tony Millard resumed smart private purchase Genki Moochi in a grass trial and the four-year-old looks ready to run a race on debut.
The gelding sped away from his relatively inexperienced rivals to score by 41/4 lengths up the 1,000m straight course.
The A$280,000 (HK$2.3 million) Easter yearling purchase won two from three in Australia, including a dominant maiden win at Hawkesbury.
