Tony Cruz's unraced Flying Machine was one of the more promising sorts to follow from a set of three all-weather barrier trials held at Sha Tin on Friday.
The son of Jeune cruised home in the final quarter under a tight hold to finish third in the first heat, which it should be pointed out was run in rather modest time. But Flying Machine had already shown some promise in a barrier trial earlier this month and Cruz has brought him along nicely. He appears to be an above-average sort who can be followed when he makes his debut.
The heat was won by John Size's unraced Winning Dragon, who showed significant improvement from his barrier trial earlier this month. The son of Snippets has been patiently handled by Size and, now that he is beginning to show a little more, a closer eye should be kept on him.
Andy Leung Ting-wah's My Delight, another unraced individual, moved quite stylishly in behind as he came through his first trial with flying colours. The son of Distinctly North may be a fair way off a race, but he clearly has some potential.
Leung also had second-placed Watch Me Win, who has shown some promise in trials in the past and put up another creditable effort here considering his current handicap mark of 38.
Manfred Man's last-start winner Snippedydooda took the second heat in impressive style after settling just behind the leading pack under Robbie Fradd. The three-parts brother to Solid Contact has thrived since his reappearance and can be followed.
In the same heat Size's Flying Champion moved quite well when striding out in the final quarter to finish second. The son of Euclase has had only one career start and, while this was his fourth barrier trial this season, he is headed in the right direction.
