High-grade sprinter Natural Blitz gave a powerful reminder of his brilliance at the minimum trip yesterday, winning a 1,000 metres trial at Happy Valley in hollow fashion.
The Maroof gelding, now prepared by Derek Cruz, bolted to the front from barrier one and made the turf trial an absolute procession.
With Glyn Schofield sitting as quietly as a church mouse, Natural Blitz led by six lengths after going 400m and by eight lengths on the home turn.
The South African rider did nothing on Natural Blitz in the run to the line and he still had five lengths to spare, with the clock stopping at 59.4 seconds.
Trials at Happy Valley are conducted with the cones some 15m out from the true (A) position, so fast times are impossible and horses rarely break a minute for the 1,000m.
Natural Blitz is coming up to the first anniversary of his biggest moment in racing - finishing third to Silent Witness in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint after being one of the playmakers throughout.