If there were any lingering effects of the feet problems that caused Champions Gallery to be scratched from his Sha Tin engagement on January 28, he kept them very well hidden in a power-packed trial performance yesterday morning.
Champions Gallery was the first horse to race under the new Trainer's Syndicate concept, and gave the programme a huge fillip with his debut win over 1,800 metres in Class Two on December 26.
Champions Gallery missed the start one length in that race, under the guidance of Olivier Doleuze, and then raced close to the leaders throughout before quickening up at the 500m and taking over on straightening for home.
Ultimately, the well-bred galloper won by a neck from Dash Ahead and on face value that may not seem so impressive. But Dash Ahead's form has been rock solid over the last eight months, and the race has thrown up three subsequent winners - Infinite Delight, Liberal's Choice and Vital King, with Plastic Polymer (12th) going on to finish second to Vital King.
Champions Gallery was scratched from his next assignment - on Stewards' Cup day in the Fairy King Prawn Handicap, won in his absence by Infinite Delight - on account of soreness to his feet.
Yesterday, trainer Andreas Schutz stepped Champions Gallery out in a turf trial over 1,600m at Sha Tin, with Doleuze on top once again. The Dansili four-year-old bowled straight to the front and set an even tempo, with the Frenchman allowing him to run along over the final 600m.
The trial was a one-horse affair a long way from home and when the judge called a halt to the carnage, it was Champions Galley in front by 61/2 lengths from the Sean Woods-trained Green In Blue (Shane Dye), who was ridden right to the line. The time of 1:36.9 was closer to what you'd expect of race times, rather than trials, with the Sha Tin mile trial standard being 1:39.5.
