A Tony Millard quinella in an all-weather track trial yesterday revealed a likely improver and confirmed a progressive type's promise.
Cartoon Fay Fay won the 1,050m dirt jump-out, finishing a neck in front of in-form stablemate Well Done.
After a polytrack win and Group Three placing in Ireland, Cartoon Fay Fay was thrown into the deep end on his Hong Kong debut from a rating of 86 in the Panasonic Cup (1,400m) earlier this month.
The three-year-old colt was sent around at a 100-1-plus quote and never settled. He was reported to have suffered a clip on the heels and dropped out sharply to finish last.
Sent to trial to the satisfaction of stewards, Douglas Whyte took the reins and stoked the son of Smarty Jones up. He bustled his way to the lead from barrier four, held the rail and rode out strongly to the line, giving his mount a couple of reminders with the whip in the straight as it appeared his condition would again give out.
While it might be a while before Cartoon Fay Fay will drop enough points to find a win, the strong work-out will certainly improve the fitness of the 1,200-pounder.