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It hasn't been the rosiest of starts to 1999 for the title-chasing combination of Tony Cruz and Eric Saint-Martin, with both remaining winless after two racing days of the new year.

 However, trackwork at Sha Tin yesterday suggested that better days are ahead and, in addition to a good stable entry today, the pair have several good chances at next Wednesday night's Sha Tin dirt meeting.

 Promising sprinter Primo (right) has risen sharply through the ranks on the back of a couple of strong wins recently but he looked on particularly good terms with himself as he strode over 800 metres with stablemate Touchwood.

 The four-year-old scored one of the most impressive wins of the season when he won on the dirt back in November and his prowess on the surface plus the improvement he has shown since the addition of blinkers make him look a star bet for the card.

 He wasn't sighted last time over 1,200 metres at the Valley but the return to the all-weather track makes him the one they will all have to beat.

 Touchwood has gone well at Happy Valley at his past two runs and he is another who will appreciate the return to the dirt.

 His only two wins in Hong Kong have been on the surface and he looked very fit as he completed the gallop.

 Furioso did a good job to win on the all-weather back at the beginning of December and Cruz has kept him ticking over since. Saint-Martin was on top as he also went over 800 metres and after ambling through the first 400 metres he quickened up the last quarter to finish the work in style.

 David Hayes continues to climb up the championship ladder and while he is unlikely to have a strong entry at the midweek meeting, Projectvision could do the stable proud if he gets a run in the 2,400-metre Lai Chi Chong Handicap.

 It will be the five-year-old's first test at the trip but he does look as though he will handle it and he has dropped back to a more competitive mark after three unplaced runs.

 Yesterday he dashed home strongly at the end of a 1,200-metre gallop for Basil Marcus and he is right at the peak of his form.

 One of his likely rivals is Jade Lake and the Alex Wong Siu-tan-trained galloper looks a lot better after three runs this term.

 He had his first start for Wong on New Year's Day and was noted running on strongly at the end of 1,600 metres behind Rugby Supreme.

 He should find Wednesday night's race a lot easier and he impressed as he went through his paces with Fastest Star.

 Meanwhile two trials were held on the all-weather with Peter Ho taking the honours in both.

 It has been a great first season for the young trainer and in Kinling Superstar and Happy Monies he has a couple more winners waiting to happen.

 Kinling Superstar took the opening trial from stablemate Winwin Combination, who is getting close to a win, with Eastern Shine catching the eye back in midfield.

 Happy Monies led all the way to win the second trial from Rajput with third-placed Decouvert looking a likely type.

 Others to work well were Gallant Blossom, Midas, Hero's Way and Expedient.

YESTERDAY'S SHA TIN DIRT TRIALS  First trial _ 1,150m: 1, KINLING SUPERSTAR (K. H. Ting); 2, Winwin Combination (B. Marcus); 3, Toy Warrior (B. Doyle). Others (in finishing order): Time Jet, Ideal Partner, Golden Cheetah, Eastern Shine, Communication Lord, Wing's Honour, Bold'N Power, Charlie's Angel. Time: 1:10.6 (26.0). Distances: 1 length, 1 length. Winner trained by Peter Ho.

 Second trial _ 1,150m: 1, HAPPY MONIES (W. M. Lai); 2, Rajput (W. Woods); 3, Decouvert (B. Doyle). Others: Excel Kid, Mr Winner, Happy Success, Top Light, On Fire, Osprey Reef, Applause For Me, Money Wins, Polar Star. Time: 1:09.1 (24.1). Distances: .75 length, 4 lengths. Winner trained by Peter Ho.

TRACK TRACKWORK Greg Whitmore 



Primo poised to lift Cruz's tempo