IT has been a turbulent season for apprentice Stanley K. M. Chin but it ended on a bright note when progressive Winning Spirit (2-1 favourite) gave nothing else a chance in the fourth event on the final day of the season at Sha Tin yesterday.
Winning Spirit had been turned over in the Happy Valley Trophy by the exciting prospect Top Practitioner but was returning to the straight 1,000-metre course down which he had previously won twice in griffin company.
This was Winning Spirit's first outing in open company but the smart youngster ran them off their feet in this Class Three event in which the public sided almost totally with the Ivan Allan-trained performer.
And their judgment proved right.
He was just slightly slowly away and came into contact with stablemate Captive Trick (12-1), who is no mean performer himself down the straight course.
In the meantime, Profit Taker (9-1), with K. H. Little Hung having his last race ride, had skipped to the front seeking to repeat a shock course and distance victory last time.
But Winning Spirit was soon into top gear under Chin and moving up menacingly in the centre of the track.
