The trainer syndicates have added a new dimension to racing over the past 12 months and Francis Lui Kin-wai showcased his version when Trulli performed with credit at the barrier trials at Happy Valley on Saturday.
Three-year-old, ridden by Zac Purton, stayed hard on the bridle all the way around the Valley 1,200 metres circuit and was only one length from winner Exploding (Felix Coetzee) at the finish.
Now it could be argued - with a lot of justification - that the form out of the trial is not strong. But Trulli did his work so easily, and looked to have so much on his rivals, that he could progress nicely with the added fitness benefit that this trial should bring.
Trulli raced by the same name in Melbourne for respected young Caulfield horseman Clinton McDonald.
He had six outings for a win, a second and a third, and was sold to Lui's syndicate members after a useful fourth over 1,400m at Caulfield on April 9.
At his previous attempt, Trulli finished third to Let's Migrate, now racing in Hong Kong under his new name Enthused, giving the Caulfield form some added local significance.
Trulli's only victory was in a maiden over 1,200m at Mornington. The Minardi three-year-old has been allocated a domestic rating of 70 and the way he has handled himself in this turf barrier trial suggests he might well have strengthened significantly since his juvenile days.
