Gary Ng Ting-keung's smart youngster Kingston Treasure warmed up for next weekend's Juvenile Sprint Trophy with an impressive win in yesterday's barrier trial session at Happy Valley.
The flying grey three-year-old was quickly in front in the third of five trials over 1,200 metres for new partner Eric Saint-Martin and had no trouble leading the field comfortably to the home turn.
When the Frenchman released some rein at the top of the straight, Kingston Treasure lengthened stride noticeably and darted away from his rivals to win the heat by a gaping six lengths from Kevmate and Decouvert.
The New Zealand-bred son of Spectacular Love has improved in leaps and bounds with three runs under his belt and on this effort it will take a good horse to beat him in the Group Three event restricted to two- and three-year-olds.
Decouvert's performance was encouraging, with Brett Doyle never really asking him to do a lot. The flashy Kenmare chestnut did a good job to win last time out and it is doubtful his winning run is at an end.
He had a couple of handy young sprinters behind him in Gagnant and Giant when he won and he has not gone backwards since.
Wylie Wong is languishing down at the bottom end of the trainers' table but the effort of headline horse Seattle Sun to win the opening heat would have given him reason to expect a happier end to the season.