There were six barrier trials at Happy Valley yesterday over a variety of distances, with several of Derek Cruz's participants catching the eye.
The fourth heat of the morning was won by Cruz's My Honour, who moved very stylishly. The former International Sale griffin was not asked for much of an effort by Howard Cheng, and won with plenty in hand. Cruz's Albela, who looks to have picked up in his work, finished a good third in the same heat.
In the second trial, over 1,200 metres, Cruz's private purchase Marshall Spirit indicated that he may be coming to hand. Settling back worse than mid-division early on, he finished off the heat very strongly to take fourth.
The trial was won by the David Hayes-trained Amity, who was given a solid hitout by Shane Dye. He led from barrier to post and responded well when Dye urged him along in the straight. Hayes' Charm Scene Land put in his best piece of work since arriving in Hong Kong to take second. Tony Millard's Winning Boy was given a quiet time by Anton Marcus, and he may be worth noting.
The first heat of the morning was held over 1,700 metres, and not surprisingly Andy Leung Ting-wah's Fibber took the honours. He is in fine fettle at present and Leung may be looking to enter the high-class sprinter over slightly further in the near future. Millard's new recruit Aspiration was pushed out to the line to finish second, while Bruce Hutchison's Dancing Surpass put in quite a good trial in first-time blinkers to take third. He may be worth following.
Alex Wong Yu-on had the winner of the third heat with Cullinan, who was wearing a hood and visor for the first time. It was a very impressive trial and, while he has worked well in the past, the gear change may be exactly what he has been looking for. Leung's OK Pal finished second, and he is working in very good order. In third was the Cruz-trained Derek's Choice, who also moved quite well but could not pick up the winner when asked.
Millard had the winner of the fifth trial with Laser Pride, but most eyes were on the Dubai-bound Daliapour, who was outpaced but went to the line strongly. His trainer Ivan Allan also had Success Magic in the trial, and he put up a highly creditable effort to take second.
