Chris So Wai-yin's forgotten horse Redkirk Warrior made a welcome return at the Sha Tin trials yesterday and looked in fine form too, bouncing out to lead his heat and finishing well as he prepares for his return.

Redkirk Warrior was narrowly defeated in February's Classic Cup by Thunder Fantasy before finishing unplaced as favourite in the BMW Hong Kong Derby in March to Luger.

The English import suffered a tendon injury just under two weeks after the Derby and So has been battling to keep the chestnut in work ever since.

Obviously the next few days will be crucial when assessing how Redkirk Warrior comes through his trial but the stern workout in a 1,200m dirt trial yesterday is a good indication Redkirk Warrior is back on track.

Derby-winning jockey Zac Purton was aboard the 97-rater for the first time in a trial or race and he got Redkirk Warrior to jump well and lead for most of the trial.

The jockey only asked for a little effort late, when he was eventutaly overhauled by 94-rated sprinter Multivictory (Alvin Ng Ka-chun).

Surprisingly, Purton was on another So standout at the trials, the Australian riding Fabulous One to a 1,050m trial win - although it wasn't smooth sailing as the speedy type reverted to some bad habits.

Joao Moreira has ridden Fabulous One to wins at both of the rapidly improving four-year-old's runs this time in, leading both times and dominating. Purton attempted to get Fabulous One to settle in behind the leader but the gelding overraced and got his head in the air, antics he is less likely to get away with near the top of Class Three.

Still, Fabulous One had enough in the tank to peel out and finish in the lead, but perhaps being in front and rolling is where he is most comfortable for now.

They were just two of the standouts Purton partnered during the nine-heat session, with Friends Of Ka Ying - formerly known as Almalad and a Group One winner in Australia - trialling well on the turf over 1,000m.

Paul O'Sullivan's three-year-old Good Man jumped cleanly and did everything on the bridle for Purton over 800m, looking like he has acclimatised quickly to his new base after a couple of trial wins in New Zealand.