WITH attention and publicity centred on the International Races on Sunday, two modest equitrack trials at Sha Tin yesterday did not attract undue notice - but they could well prove valuable in the continuing quest for winners. The grey Tim's Joy is really coming to hand for trainer Alex Wong Yu-on and his second placing to all-the-way winner Make It Happen in the second trial suggests he is betting material when stepping out next on the synthetic surface. Tim's Joy was produced after a long break - the Wong stable was savaged by the virus - on March 31 when he obviously needed the run, finishing fifth behind Silver Arrow over 1,600 metres on the Valley equitrack. He was midfield for most of the trip and did not really run on but it was a solid hit-out that was rightly expected to do him the world of good. That obvious impression was confirmed in this trial where he ran on from third last to be a half length from the Tony Cruz-ridden Make It Happen. Basil Marcus, still clinging to a slender hope that he can retain the championship, is the regular rider and Tim's Joy does shape as another winner for him. Make It Happen won at the first time of asking at Happy Valley recently, landing a good plunge for connections who had the foresight to trial him successfully at the same venue. He has clearly come out of that debut run in good shape as this handy trial win showed and Make It Happen does not lack experience. He ran 19 times in Australia but does not seem to have lost his appetite for the sport and could remain a potent force whennext he races. Make It Happen was clocked in 1:02.2 with the last 400 in 24.3 and the first two across the line were going well. Generally disappointing Fortune Ring finished a further length and a half away in third spot and his dwindling band of supporters would not have taken much encouragement from this effort. Trainer Lawrie Fownes won the first trial with veteran galloper All That Jazz who prevailed by a neck from the interesting Derek Cruz subscription griffin, Ming River. There's nothing more to be learned from one-time Derby placegetter All That Jazz but Cruz has something to work with in relation to the runner-up. The winner was pushed out by John Marshall with Greg Childs coming home very well on Ming River who would appear to have the ability to be involved in one of the lesser griffin events we will be seeing shortly. Atlhough not an overly busy morning, a couple of worthwhile gallops were put in. One talking point was the effort of Tung Feng, my own idea of the winner of the final event at the Valley tonight. Fownes sent him out for a pre-race blowout and some eyebrows were raised when Tung Feng was clocked in a sharp 51.1, rattling home in 23.4. It was also worth noting that another Fownes runner tonight, the improving Blazing Blade, virtually repeated the Tung Feng effort. First trial: 1, ALL THAT JAZZ (J. Marshall); 2, Ming River (G. Childs); 3, Splendid (A. S. Cruz). Others (in finishing order): Wonderful, Simply Great, Simple Mind, Emperor Tong. Time: 1.04.6 (24.5). Distances: Nk, 11/4l. Winner trained by Lawrie Fownes. Second trial: 1, MAKE IT HAPPEN (A. S. Cruz); 2, Tim's Joy (B. Marcus); 3, Fortune Ring (S. M. Tam). Others: Libertas, Grand Occassion, Prince Emilio, Joyful Delight. Time: 1.02.2 (24.3). Distances: 1/2l, 11/2l. Winner trained by Wong Wai-lit.
