So for an unraced youngster to stalk the international-day winner, and then go straight by him - even though he was ridden out by Gerald Mosse - speaks volumes for the gelding's raw ability. His winning time of 1:13.0 was a full two seconds faster than the time recorded by Simply The Best in the other 1,200m heat.

Owner Patrick Leong Ting-cheong gave $2 million for Noble Conqueror at the Hong Kong International Sale in December. The gelding was a three-year-old, while most of his sale contemporaries were juveniles, so it would appear he had some kind of setback that prevented his participation in the 2004 sale.

However, the upside was that the extra 12 months he had to mature in the southern hemisphere has probably done him the world of good. And on the evidence of yesterday's trial win, he's ready to go right on with the job.

For Natural Blitz, the major problem facing trainer Derek Cruz right now is lack of races. Unless the New Zealand-bred speedster heads overseas, the only race left for him for the balance of the season would be the Sha Tin Vase on May 21, where he would probably have topweight of 133 pounds.

Straight Victory, trained by Danny Shum Chap-shing, trialled reasonably for third but was subjected to some stern riding by Olivier Doleuze.

Turf Gold, still eligible for Class Five, was probably a superior effort in relative terms, keeping on for fourth under a gentle hold from apprentice Alex Lai Hoi-wing.

While Simply The Best's number went into the frame as winner of the third batch of the morning, there's no doubting the better horse on merit was Kaiser's Choix, another from the Fownes yard.

Kaiser's Choix, now rated at 46, settled some four lengths from the lead but towed Chris Munce through the gaps to take up the running at the 600m. From there, the Kashani three-year-old was always on the bridle and enjoying his morning's work, and had his ears pricked in the final 200m while Way Leung Ming-wai bashed Simply The Best to the line wider out on the track.

Spy King, trained by Peter Ng Bik-kuen and handled by Simon Yim Hin-keung, was a close third, a short head and a head behind the winner. It was noticeable that both Kaiser's Choix and Spy King seemed to appreciate the softer track underfoot.

Danehill had a second winner when Grand Supreme confirmed the positive impression he made with his winning debut at Sha Tin on April 8. The three-year-old was handled by Douglas Whyte and was always in control, travelling comfortably in second place before taking over inside the final 200m.

Grand Supreme, a brother to Elegant King Prawn, has natural speed and the pedigree to go much further, being out of the French-bred mare Eyes of Belief, a daughter of 14-time champion European sire Sadler's Wells.

Expectation, from the Peter Ng yard, ran well for second while impressive Vettori colt Hawkes Bay worked home stylishly for third without jockey Brett Prebble ever allowing him to come off the steel.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

Grand Supreme, Noble Conqueror, Hawkes Bay.