Trainer Tony Millard may have a useful acquisition in Multizen, who landed the first of two all-weather trials at Sha Tin yesterday. Multizen prevailed by a head over the improving Hurray from the stable of Peter Chapple-Hyam with Give To Thee two lengths further back in third position having been there throughout the eight-runner dirt trial over 1,150 metres.
The second trial went to the John Egan-ridden Happy Champ, who was never troubled in winning by 1.5 lengths from Bear With Me. The runner-up now also looks capable of winning a race as this was a much-improved effort. Not that that would be difficult.
He beat four home and then finished last on two starts last season and was withdrawn at another planned outing.
A private purchase galloper, Bear With Me, who raced as Canned Heat in New Zealand, had three starts before export. He won two of them and there was plenty of ease in the ground on both occasions.
However, acclimatisation is also a well-known problem here and if he has now settled in, Bear With Me could be worth following.
First trial _ 1,150m: 1, MULTIZEN (W. C. Marwing); 2, Hurray (J. Egan); 3, Give To Thee (E. Legrix). Others (in finishing order): Manor Star, Via Veneto, Gold Saddle, City Commander, Wealthy Together. Time: 1:10.4 (25.1). Distances: head, 2 lengths. Winner trained by Tony Millard.
Second trial _ 1,150m: 1, HAPPY CHAMP (J. Egan); 2, Bear With Me (R. S. Dye); 3, Hossegor (K. C. Tsang). Others: Forever Gold, Profit Master, Speed At Will. Time: 1:11.4 (24.1). Distances: 1.5 lengths, head. Winner trained by Gary Ng Ting-keung.