Kingston delivers potent warning
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.
This trial was run over 1,650 metres and Seattle Sun was always in contention as Gems set a steady pace out in front.
Douglas Whyte asked Seattle Sun to work as they swung into the home straight and under hard riding he established a good break on his rivals before being allowed to coast home from stablemate Only The Brave, who was pushed right out, and Cash Fortune, who was doing his best work in the last 200 metres.
Seattle Sun has only been lightly raced with a mere eight runs under his belt but he does have heaps of ability.
The five-year-old has been most unlucky at his past two outings and looks a sure-fire winner in Class Three in the coming weeks.
David Hill applied blinkers to Blue Imperial in the second trial and the gear change appeared to sharpen up the disappointing import. He took over in front before the home turn and was not punished to record a convincing half-length win over Handover and Satisfaction Smile.
Satisfaction Smile created a good impression with his finishing effort into third spot but it was stablemate Trader Joe who really caught the eye as he made good late ground under a quiet Brett Doyle ride.
It is not the first time Trader Joe has trialled in style and his debut is going to be eagerly awaited by trackwatchers.
Super Rich was pushed out to win the penultimate trial where Win Academy went well, while Made To Figure had no trouble taking the last batch.
Horses to work well earlier in the morning were Northern Flyer, All Win, Charming City and Indian Road.
