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ULTRA-SMART youngster Danswinner easily stole the show at Sha Tin last night as the first, important grass trials of the season were run off before a crowd of 8,000.

 This was a Saturday Night Special performance of considerable significance from the Wong Tang-ping galloper who took the first of the trials under regular rider Douglas Whyte.

 Danswinner relegated last season's best two-year-old, Bumper Storm, to third place in the 1,200-metre trial although neither horse was pushed right out to the line.

 Danswinner, now in Class Two, looks capable of going close to the very top. He won officially by a head from Beas Glory with claimer Eddie W. M. Lai up, who came home strongly and late down the outside. But he was ridden right out to get so close.

 Danswinner has filled out in the summer and has come through the break in super condition. He will not get a run on opening day - he is 14th reserve - but will take beating when he makes his debut.

 Bumper Storm, who is likely to start favourite for the feature race on opening night, the SAR Chief Executive's Cup at Happy Valley, lost no admirers under Eric Legrix.

 Bumper Storm, who has been working stylishly, has also summered well and should hold the edge over his other trophy race rivals who were involved in this trial.

 Kowloon Pride, for whom trainer David Hill is keeping his fingers crossed for a run, finished fourth but it was a solid effort and further improvement can be expected.

 Regal Ride did not excite and Engineman was pulled up very sharply after the post.

 Proud Of You scooted home in the second trial and is capable of winning another low-grade race but, in Class Six, second-placed Mr Belief is simply a winner waiting to happen.

 He has dropped to the bottom grade and Danny Lee did not knock him about, finishing just over four lengths from the winner.

 Charity First won a couple of races last season and can get quickly off the mark again this term, judging by his good effort in the third trial in which the Derek Cruz-trained Fortune Maker also ran well.

 It could also pay to keep an eye open for Running Cue, apprentice-ridden here, who has come on a lot.

 Other good efforts were put in by Increase Speed, suggesting that Tony Cruz could get off to a good start, and Intrepid Star who won the fifth trial for Cheung Ting-pong.

 RESULTS  All trials over 1,200 metres on the grass.

 First Trial: 1, DANSWINNER (Douglas Whyte); 2, Beas Glory (W. M. Lai); 3, Bumper Storm (Eric Legrix). Others in finishing order: Kowloon Pride, Express Duke, All The Glory, Regal Ridge, Bogie's Pride, Dolphin, Chop-Chop, Sea Jade, Engineman. 12 ran. Margins: Hd, 1l. Time: 1:11.5 (24.2). Winner trained by Wong Tang-Ping.

 Second trial: 1, PROUD OF YOU (Paddy Payne); 2, Mr Belief (Danny Lee); 3, Markgraf (Brett Doyle). Others in finishing order: Grand Vefour, Devotee, So So, Winning Union, Leisure Island, Add More, Toy Baron, Winning Man. 11 ran. Margins: 4.5l, 1l. Time: 1:14.0 (24.8). Winner trained by Cheung Ting-pong.

 Third trial: 1, CHARITY FIRST (D. Lee); 2, Super Fellow (Jimmy Ting); 3, Braveheart (Eric Saint-Martin). Others in finishing order: Running Cue, Fortune Maker, Rising Glory, Sparko, Wing's Honour, Winford, Full Energy, Nazakat's Joy, Big Treasure. 12 ran. Margins: .5l, hd. Time: 1:14.2 (25.3). Winner trained by Ng Bik-kuen.

 Fourth trial: 1, INCREASE SPEED (Douglas Whyte); 2, Professionalkiller (Robbie Fraad; 3, Lekker (Brett Doyle). Others in finishing order: Gaylord, Royal Pride, American Champion, Nervous Witness, Heart To Heart, Silver Collector, New Tone, Sumotori, Time Well. 12 ran. Margins: Sht hd, 2.5l. Time: 1:12.4 (24.8). Winner trained by Tony Cruz.

 Fifth trial: 1, INTREPID STAR (Jimmy Ting); 2, Twin Dragons (David Harrison); 3, Kowloon Jazz (Paddy Payne). Others in finishing order: Furioso, Highland Dancer, Sonic, Kiwi Star, Most Delighted, Invincible, Mississipi Blues. 11 ran. Margins: Sht hd, 1.5l. Time: 1:13.1 (22.9). Winner trained by Cheung Ting-pong.

 Sixth trial: 1, TIME STRONG (David Harrison); 2, Star Of Wah Yan (Brett Doyle); 3, Winning Spirit (Basil Marcus). Others in finishing order: Lynx, Active Way, American Way, Fred, Super Fairway, Craig's Pride, Top Practitioner, Got It Made. 11 ran. Margins: 1.5l. Head. Time: 1:13.3 (25.1). Winner trained by Wyllie Wong Wai-lit.



Danswinner oozes class