Bidding to give David Hall his first success in the Gr.1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (28 April), Flying Ace (NZ) (Swiss Ace) cruised through a 1050m barrier trial on Monday morning as the course and distance specialist prepared for the HK$22 million feature.

Pitted against only five rivals, Flying Ace settled close to the speed under Matthew Poon before finishing off sedately to cross the line in second place, five and three-quarter lengths behind One For All, who clocked 1m 02.08s.

With five wins and seven minor placings over Sha Tin’s 1200m course, Flying Ace impressed jockey Matthew Poon with this morning’s workout.

“He jumped quite fast today and travelled nice. I just gave him a very easy trial. The horse is happy and he pulled up well, so it’s good,” Poon said.

Rated 103, Flying Ace will bid to give Zac Purton his third Chairman’s Sprint Prize triumph after Ivictory (Mossman) (2018) and Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) (2023).

A fast-finishing third behind Lucky Sweynesse in the G2.2 Sprint Cup (1200m) on 7 April, Flying Ace will be joined in Sunday’s speed test by stablemate Invincible Sage (Thronum), who will be partnered by Hugh Bowman.

Hall, who has 30 winners so far this season, has previously had only one FWD Champions Day runner – Little Giant (NZ) (Swiss Ace), who finished third to Beat The Clock (Hinchinbrook) in the 2019 Chairman’s Sprint Prize.

This Sunday’s field is headed by Group One winners California Spangle (Starpangledbanner), Mad Cool (Dark Angel), Victor The Winner (Torodado) and Little Brose (NZ) (Per Incanto), along with Lucky With You (Heredera), Howdeepisyourlove (Deep Field), Sunrise Ronaldo (Harbinger), Mugen (Deep Field), Believing (Mehmas), Invincible Sage and Flying Ace.