Last season’s Hong Kong Triple Crown winner Voyage Bubble eased his way through a barrier trial on Tuesday as he tunes up for his return in the Group Two Sha Tin Trophy (1,600m) on October 19.

The Hong Kong Champion Miler and Hong Kong Champion Stayer finished fourth behind Invincible Shield – who broke the tape at 1:10.62 – after settling towards the rear before making steady ground in the straight under Matthew Poon Ming-fai.

Last seen running riot to win the Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) by three and a half lengths, Voyage Bubble will be ridden by Poon on race day for the first time, with regular partner James McDonald not making the trip over to ride.

Poon was suitably impressed by the Ricky Yiu Poon-fai-trained star’s run out and is expecting big improvement.

“He felt good, sharp and fresh,” Poon said. “He jumped well and he trialled good and, at this stage, we are happy with how he goes and we still have a little bit of time.

“I’m really, really looking forward to [the Sha Tin Trophy]. I trust him and I hope he can run really well.”

Similar sentiments were echoed by Yiu, who confirmed this will be Voyage Bubble’s final trial before he heads back to the races.

“I think this trial was better than his last trial. In the straight, he made up ground and the feedback from Matthew Poon was that the horse enjoyed the trial and had a bit of a blow,” said Yiu.

“He probably won’t have another trial before he races, maybe just a good grass gallop.”

Poon will be keen to make an impression at the next few meetings before his link-up with one of Hong Kong’s stars, with the 31-year-old heading to Sha Tin on Wednesday without a winner in his last 107 rides.

There were several other big names in the same trial, with last season’s Group One Champions Mile (1,600m) winner Red Lion finishing seventh.

The John Size-trained galloper broke through at Group One level at $90 and has been absent since trying to lug 135lb in the Group Three Lion Rock Trophy (1,600m) in May, where he finished sixth.

He will also make his return in the Sha Tin Trophy and, like Voyage Bubble, he will be without his jockey Hugh Bowman, who will be unable to make the weight.

The Australian reported back in positive fashion post-trial, with Red Lion ready to get onto the racetrack.

“He’s good, I think he’s ready for a race start now. I think he needs the stimulation of a race actually,” said Bowman. “His action and attitude is very good, but I’d like to see him a little bit more motivated and there’s no question that will happen on race day.

“He will run in the Sha Tin Trophy I believe with a light weight so that’ll be a good starting point for him and I’m looking forward to seeing him race.”