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.