DERBY favourites Deerfield and Charming Talker worked solidly without really impressing on the grass at Sha Tin yesterday in readiness for Saturday's big event, the Hongkong Classic Trial.
Alex Wong Yu-on's Deerfield has been off the track due to the flu virus which closed down racing late last year and will almost certainly need his reappearance.
That was the enduring impression after he went through a testing 1,200-metre hit-out on the sandmesh yesterday when he went to the line without the sparkle he showed when in peak condition last season.
But the good news for his supporters, who still justifiably see him as the likely Derby winner, is that he is undoubtedly on the way back. He will improve for yesterday's gallop and he will progress again for the outing at the weekend.
Deerfield's jockey Brent Thomson confirmed the impression from the stand. ''It was good work without being spectacular,'' he said.
''The horse is really well in himself, very happy and relaxed and he enjoyed his work. But he has been off for quite some time and the gallop gave me the impression that, whatever he does at the weekend, he will improve considerably for the run.