Any doubt that unbeaten Grand Supreme might be a limited 1,000 metres horse evaporated without trace on Friday when the Danehill colt stormed in with a 1,200m barrier trial on the all-weather track in Sha Tin.
With Douglas Whyte asking the bay to open up in the final 200m, Grand Supreme made mincemeat of his rivals, clearing out to defeat Class One galloper Cheeky (Jacky Tong Chi-kit) by 31/2 lengths.
The pressure exerted in the straight saw the margin between second and third stretched out to seven lengths - 101/2 lengths from the winner - with the John Size-trained Gold Striker snaring that placing in the final few strides over Time Supreme and Superb.
The Peter Ho Leung-trained Grand Supreme has won four from four at the minimum trip, but any doubt about him over longer journeys is purely academic because he has never tried them.
But his dominance, and his acceleration after covering the first 1,000m, points to the clear-cut conclusion that 1,200m and even 1,400m will be a soft snap for the well-bred youngster.
Six turf trials were conducted at Happy Valley yesterday, but it was a placegetter rather than any of the six winners that commanded the most interest.
Royal Pericles, a New Zealand private purchase, showed terrific natural ability with his close third behind Fair Win and Bobo Win in the fourth heat over 1,000m.
