And with only four winners he has quite a lot of leeway to make up, but a lot of talent from the Frenchman's yard looks ready to make an impression - none more so than his progressive griffin from last term, Tequila Pop.

The American-bred three-year-old was placed at all five starts and that trend should continue when he is first produced this season.

Yesterday he was asked to dash home the last 800 metres of a 1,200-metre gallop with Eric Legrix on top and he really impressed the way he hit the line, running 23.3 seconds for the last quarter.

He starts in Class Two but should be more than able to acquit himself in style when Biancone enters him.

While Tequila Pop was catching the eye, Mount Kosciusko also looked well working to the line strongly at the end of 1,200 metres.

The son of Fairy King was a little disappointing when sent out a short-priced favourite last time but there were some excuses for him as he was shuffled back in the first 400 metres.

Also he may be looking for a longer trip these days and it would be no surprise to see Biancone step him up in distance for his next outing.

Another of the string to take firm note of is the lightly raced Lucky Charm.

The three-year-old has only been to the races three times but has shown a degree of staying ability at each outing.

He has been entered for a 1,200-metre race at Happy Valley next weekend which on face value would seem on the short side. But there is no doubting he has made plenty of progress over summer, and there was no loafing yesterday as he sped over 1,200 metres in 1:14.4 under Legrix.

Stick with him as he looks capable of winning a couple of races off his present mark.

Derek Cruz has had an encouraging start and the run looks likely to continue in the coming weeks.

He has a handy type in his hands in Skase Race and Cruz has given the New Zealand-bred gelding plenty of time to get over his last-start when he blitzed a good field to win at Sha Tin.

He is entered for the Po Leung Kuk Centenary Cup at the Valley meeting on Saturday and should prove hard to beat if he runs.

He looked a picture of fitness working with Allegresse yesterday and the trainer must have been impressed with the way he finished the gallop off.

Cruz has a potential top-liner in his stable in Solid Contact and he has been patient in his preparation of the three-year-old.

He is another entered for next weekend's meeting and although not asked to post time yesterday, he looked close to peak fitness as he completed his work with Arrectis Auribus.

Others to work well included Master Eagle, Inventor and the very fit Pleasant Win.