Those who pay attention to the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s barrier trial videos, posted online at www.hkjc.com, should not be surprised to learn that trainer John Moore believes Joyful Trinity has a sound chance of success in Sunday’s (19 November) G2 BOCHK Wealth Management Jockey Club Mile at Sha Tin Racecourse.

Moore, in fact, is of the view that his charge should not be overlooked in next month’s (10 December) G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile either. And it is the gelding’s eye-catching displays in morning trials this term that has fostered a general positivity about a horse that, thus far, has been an afterthought leading into championship events.

“I think he has it in him to nick one of these big races, even a Group 1. If he draws well and gets the right run, he’s going to pick one up. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he popped up and beat them all one day,” Moore said.

Joyful Trinity’s latest barrier trial, a 1000m turf hit out down the Sha Tin straight, saw the five-year-old Irish-bred cruise home from deep to pass the post fifth of 13. That classy spectacle might be deemed a little illusory, given the inferiority of the Zanzibari gelding’s fellow triallists, but his time, 59.64s, stood up well against top-class peers in the morning’s other batches: stablemates Werther and Helene Paragon clocked 59.54 and 1m 00.14s, respectively.

“Joyful Trinity trialled the best of mine last week – his turf trial was by far the best,” Moore said.

That was the bay’s third smart trial this season and his first since a comeback 11th of 13 under 130lb in the G2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) last month. Joyful Trinity had not raced since a stress fracture was discovered in his off hind after a close third behind Helene Paragon in the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) in February.

That was one of three placed efforts in the highest grade last term. Third behind Beauty Only in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m), when a 14/1 shot, preceded a second to Helene Paragon as a 17/1 chance in January’s G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m). Each time, Joyful Trinity was no more than a length off victory.

“He’s a very genuine conveyance and always gives his best so I’m expecting him to run a big race this weekend,” Moore said. “It’s a matter of getting lucky with the draw now and enjoying some luck in the run, too. Gerald Mosse knows him like family.”

Frenchman Mosse will fly in to renew his regular partnership with Joyful Trinity, a G3 winner in France pre-import. Umberto Rispoli was aboard for the former Andre Fabre inmate’s latest race, while Moore’s stable jockey Tommy Berry took the reins for the most recent barrier trial.

Berry is set to partner Helene Paragon in Sunday’s mile feature. The entries also include last year’s winner and G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile victor Beauty Only, as well as the rising talents Beauty Generation, Seasons Bloom and Western Express.

Sunday’s action also features the G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m) and G2 BOCHK Wealth Management Jockey Club Sprint (1200m).