Trainer Li Lap-sai could be forgiven for wondering where it went wrong as his stable wound down this week. After all, it was less than one year ago that he was being toasted as his classy stayer Indigenous ran away with the Champions and Chater Cup, final leg of the Triple Crown. But there is little room for sentiment in racing and by the end of last season, Indigenous was making the move to the yard of champion trainer Ivan Allan, where he has blossomed, and Li's stable numbers started to dwindle. Indigenous was easily the star of the stable but high hopes were held for the promising griffin Kimber. Kimber had a few starts for Li this season without success before recently moving to Francis Lui. And the American-bred four-year-old indicated he is nearing another victory with a resounding win in a trial on the all-weather track yesterday. With Australian jockey Danny Nikolic in the saddle, Kimber was sent straight to the front and led throughout to easily hold off Shinnecock Hills and Commander Charlie in an impressive effort. The gelding has dropped back to a competitive mark again and on this display is well worth following in the closing weeks of the season. Shinnecock Hills has only been back in work a short while but he has been moving along stylishly and this gallop should bring him on in leaps and bounds. Pine Fame was given an easy time in this heat as was Intelligence and both are making good progress. If Pine Fame stands up to a preparation he is more than capable of winning a race before the end of the season. Bruce Hutchison's speedy Outstanding Lad won the opening trial in good style but there is not a lot of him and he has developed a couple of bad traits on race day. Little Plaything showed good pace to lead them in this heat before easing out of it in the straight and he is nearing a win. The final batch saw another all-the-way win to Monopoly Senior but after a quick first 800 metres, they only ambled to the line. Tony Cruz's unraced Cream Of The Crop impressed back in the field and this youngster should be respected when first produced. Meanwhile, on the training track, Cruz's unbeaten griffin Lord Of The Warriors looked a ball of muscle as he completed an easy 1,200 metres. There is little doubt the talented three-year-old is the best griffin seen out this term and he looks more than capable of mixing it with Class Two company. Perfect Star and King Of Cloyne were also given easy assignments but they are right at their peak and could continue on their winning ways. David Oughton has not had the best of seasons but he does have several promising griffins, including Bravissimo who makes his debut this afternoon, and a couple of these could make an impression in the closing weeks. Marquee Universal won first-up for Oughton this season but then disappointed at two subsequent runs. There were indications that all was not well with the youngster, and he has come back from a spell looking a lot better. Win Chung took him over 1,200 metres in the company of American Way and the pair quickened up the last 800 metres which was put behind in 49.3 seconds. Marquee Universal is one to keep tabs on when he makes his return to the racecourse. Others to work well were Born To Win, Good Spirit, Chief Competitor and Hong Kong Legend. SHA TIN DIRT TRIALS First trial - 1,150m: 1, OUTSTANDING LAD (G. Boss); 2, Highland Dancer (E. Legrix); 3, Fortune Partner (D. Whyte). Others (in finishing order): American Star, Little Plaything, Optic Star, Streak Of Dawn, Great Admiral. Time: 1:08.8 (24.6). Distances: 1.5 lengths, 2.5 lengths. Winner trained by Bruce Hutchison. Second trial - 1,150m: 1, KIMBER (D. Nikolic); 2, Shinnecock Hills (B. Marcus); 3, Commander Charlie (L. F. Chung). Others: Wind Chaser, Pine Fame, Sign Of Luck, Lord Ron, Intelligence, Mr Prosperity. Time: 1.08.8 (24.4). Distances: 3.5 lengths, 4 lengths. Winner trained by Francis Lui Kin-wai. Third trial - 1,150m: 1, MONOPOLY SENIOR (W. M. Lai); 2, Bill (D. Nikolic); 3, Spring Of Windsor (G. Boss). Others: Mr Belief, Cream Of The Crop, Merry Horse, Baby Wave Supreme, Super Horse II. Time: 1:09.3 (25.7). Distances: 1.5 lengths, 3.5 lengths. Winner trained by Gary Ng Ting-keung.