Helios Express (Aus) (Toronado {Ire}) was crunched into $1.30 (3-10) favourtism for Sunday's HK$13-million Hong Kong Classic Mile, sat a perfect trip beneath Hugh Bowman and raced away late to take the first leg of the 4-year-old series in convincing fashion Sunday afternoon at Sha Tin.
Alertly away from barrier six and carrying the number one saddlecloth signifying the highest-rated runner in the event, the John Size trainee allowed Chancheng Glory (Mor Spirit) and Helene Feeling (Ire) (Sioux Nation) do the heavy lifting and settled in the ideal spot while a fraction keen through the early exchanges. Poised to strike nearing the entrance to the straight, Helios Express eased out into the three path to deliver his challenge, gathered up Helene Feeling–who had taken over from Chancheng Glory just outside the 200 metres–and kicked home a comfortable winner. Star Mac (Aus) (Heroic Valour {Aus}), rated some 38 points inferior to the winner on 64, ran home gamely for third ahead of a troubled Speed Dragon (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}).
“It was a slow-run race and he was able to adapt to a very slow tempo, which is a good thing in a racehorse,” said Size. “He was able to overcome that and still win the race. Of this generation of horses, he seems to be the quality horse amongst the ones he's competing against, and it was a very convincing win.”
Size confirmed that Helios Express would move on to the second leg of the series, the Hong Kong Classic Cup over 1800 metres Mar. 3 and believes his charge will handle the step up in trip without issue.
“There's always some concern because the circumstances of the races can change dramatically from one race to the next,” said Size. “The good horses overcome a different style of running and they win. He has to do that–he has that in front of him.”
For his part, Bowman–who now begins a five-meeting suspension–considers Helios Express an unfinished product.
“The critical side of me says I would have liked for him to settle a bit better in the run, but it was a very sedate tempo which encouraged him to travel the way he did–but that's the sign of an exceptional horse–and when I gave him room and asked him for an effort, that's exactly what we all saw. I'm excited to be riding such a magnificent individual,” Bowman said.
The master trainer, John Size, a dominant force in the Hong Kong Classic Mile!
Helios Express was providing his sire with yet another big result in Hong Kong a week after Victor the Winner (Aus) caused an upset in the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup. One of 18 winners in the jurisdiction for the stallion, Helios Express–who was victorious in a single Australian appearance for trainer Jamie Edwards at Benalla in Victoria while racing as Tex Mex (Aus)–is a third to succeed at stakes level (Senor Toba {Aus}). Helios Express is the fourth black-type winner produced by a daughter of Hinchinbrook (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}).
Paris Texas passed away in September 2021 according to the Australian Stud Book, but has left behind Helios Express's unraced 3-year-old full-sister Isolation Ridge (Aus), who is in training with Lindsey Smith at Linton in Victoria.
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong HONG KONG CLASSIC MILE-LR, HK$13,000,000, Sha Tin, 2-4, NH/SH4yo, 1600mT, 1:34.44, gd.
1–HELIOS EXPRESS (AUS), 126, g, 4, by Toronado (Ire) 1st Dam: Paris Texas (Aus), by Hinchinbrook (Aus) 2nd Dam: Hialeah Star (Aus), by Luskin Star (Aus) 3rd Dam: Hialeah Gold (Aus), by Sovereign Red (NZ) 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O-Andy Yung Ming Tai; B-C Wells (WA); T-John Size; J-Hugh Bowman. Lifetime Record: 8-6-1-1, HK$16,001,660. *Formerly Tex Mex (Aus).
2–Helene Feeling (Ire), 126, g, 4, Sioux Nation–Cynthia Calhoun (Ire), by Exceed and Excel (Aus). (€15,500 Wlg '20 GOFDEC; 40,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Helene Syndicate; B-A Sherwood & P Connell; T-Danny Shum; J-Zac Purton; HK$2,730,000.
3–Star Mac (Aus), 126, g, 4, Heroic Valour (Aus)–Marma Got Style (Aus), by Wicked Style. (A$15,000 Ylg '21 MMMAR). O-Adrian Hassan; B-D Reynolds (Qld); T-David Hayes; J-Karis Teetan; HK$1,495,000.
Margins: 1 3/4, NK, 3/4. Odds: 3-10, 73-10, 45-1.
Also Ran: Speed Dragon (NZ), Beauty Crescent (Ire), Chancheng Glory, Fallon (Ire), Howdeepisyourlove (Aus), Moments In Time (Chi). Click for the HKJC chart, PPs and sectional timing.
One of the best trainers in Hong Kong history, John Size is a three-time winner of the Hong Kong Classic Mile, a 1600-metre event that serves as the first of the three legs of the Classics series restricted to 4-year-olds from both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The 12-times champion conditioner, who is approaching 1500 career victories, has two bonafide chances to add a fourth Classic Mile Sunday in the form of Helios Express (Aus) (Toronado {Ire}) and Howdeepisyourlove (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}).
Helios Express is the lone member of the nine-horse field rated north of 100, and he has earned it with four wins from his six starts dating back to last June, including a powerful 2 3/4-length victory in a Class 2 over Sunday's distance Jan. 7. That effort has stamped him as the $1.40 (2-5) jolly overnight and Hugh Bowman has the call before beginning a suspension.
“He made the adaption to 1600 (metres) more or less straight away, he seemed to travel not too bad,” the always matter-of-fact Size said of his latest effort. “He was a little bit strong, I guess, but still managed it in a slow-run race and he sprinted well off a slow speed, that's about all we expected from him.
“I don't think he's taken harm from the race. He seems to have coped with that pretty well. His trial was normal and he looks like he's going to run a race again.”
One to beat in the Hong Kong Classic Mile!? Helios Express is back in action this Sunday…
James McDonald is due to partner with Howdeepisyourlove, but suffered a foot injury before Saturday's G3 Widden S. at Rosehill and will be subject to an exam by the HKJC's chief medical officer upon his arrival. The gelding has four wins to his credit, all over the 1200-metre distance and each at Happy Valley, and he'll need to lift here to make his presence felt.
There are 34 stakes races held each season in Hong Kong, and the Classic Mile is the only one to have thus far eluded champion jockey Zac Purton. He takes the reins on Helene Feeling (Ire) (Sioux Nation) for Danny Shum and actually exits a try at group level when he was third as the favourite in the G3 January Cup H. at the city circuit Jan. 10. Winner of four from 10 in Hong Kong, he raced in England as Indian Dream and was a two-time scorer in the lower grades while under the care of Michael Bell.
Beauty Crescent (Ire), whose sire Acclamation (GB) was responsible for 2022 Classic Mile and now multiple Group 1 winner Romantic Warrior (Ire), won the Listed Blenheim S. in 2022 while under the care of Ger Lyons, and though he may not quite be up to winning this, can contend for a minor award. He exits a pair of luckless runs in Class 3 over 1400 metres and attacked the line on both occasions. Andrea Atzeni rides for the legendary Tony Cruz.
It was billed as a clash of the titans, with Hong Kong's three highest-rated gallopers squaring off for the first time in the G1 Stewards' Cup Sunday at Sha Tin. It certainly did not disappoint.
Those who may have thought Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro)'s defeat at the hooves of California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) in last month's G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile signaled the beginning of the end or a changing of the guard were reminded in no uncertain terms that the 7-year-old retains all of his zest for racing when he ran out a one-length winner. Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), whose rise to the top of the local rankings has been nothing short of meteoric and included a barnstorming win in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup on HKIR day, couldn't quite sprint with Golden Sixty, but did manage to stay on for second over an alibi-free California Spangle.
As opposed to last year's race, when Vincent Ho–by his own admission–settled Golden Sixty too far off the pace and watched a 16-race winning skein come to an inglorious halt when second to Waikuku (Ire) (Harbour Watch {Ire}), the bay was asked to sit handier this time around, as California Spangle lobbed them along through an opening 800 metres in :49.12, well over a second outside standard time. Romantic Warrior and Karis Teetan were content to monitor proceedings from second and the three market leaders began to get away from their four rivals nearing the straight. Though Purton noticeably upped the tempo, Golden Sixty had him covered, and when daylight appeared one off the fence a furlong out, he made use of his quick turn of foot and went on to a victory that was fairly soft in the finish. Romantic Warrior hit a bit of a flat spot inside the final 200 metres, but managed to pick himself up late.
While COVID-19 was primarily responsible for dashing any plans to travel Golden Sixty the last couple of seasons, connections reported that they had paid up for the G1 Dubai Turf Mar. 25 with the G1 Yasuda Kinen in Tokyo in early June also a possibility. The Feb. 26 G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup and a rematch with Romantic Warrior over the latter's best trip of 2000 metres is also under consideration.
“We have to see how he pulls up and we'll discuss with the team,” Ho said. “We have entered the Dubai 1800 on turf as well, so that's another thought. I think it's a good race for him and it can be a 'prep' race for him if we go to Japan because it's left-handed and he can get used to the heat and all that.”
Ho suggested that the sometimes-feisty Golden Sixty has learned to harness his energy.
“He was very comfortable [in the run] and this year he has not pulled, so when he jumped very well, he still dropped the bit and made it even easier for me to handle him and decide what position I wanted to get,” he said. “If I wanted him to be faster, he will be and if I drop my reins, he will relax. So, when Zac picked the pace up at the half mile, [Golden Sixty] still followed through very nicely without any effort.
Gaudeamus is also the dam of the unraced 3-year-old filly Golden Sister (Aus) (Capitalist {Aus}), an A$425,000 graduate of the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale who has since been exported to America, and a yearling filly by Medaglia d'Oro's G1 Golden Slipper-winning son Vancouver (Aus). She was most recently covered by So You Think (NZ).
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong STEWARDS' CUP-G1, HK$12,000,000, Sha Tin, 1-29, 3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:33.99, gd.
1–GOLDEN SIXTY (AUS), 126, g, 7, by Medaglia d'Oro 1st Dam: Gaudeamus (GSW-Ire, $179,846), by Distorted Humor 2nd Dam: Leo's Lucky Lady, by Seattle Slew 3rd Dam: Konafa, by Damascus
(A$120,000 Ylg '17 MMGCYS; NZ$300,000 2yo '17 NZBRTR). O-Stanley Chan Ka Leung; B-Asco International Pty Ltd (Qld); T-Francis Lui Kin-wai; J-Vincent Ho Chak-yiu; HK$6,840,000. Lifetime Record: 2x Horse of the Year, Ch. Middle Distance Horse & Ch. 4yo-HK, 27-23-2-1, HK$129,960,600. *1/2 to Igitur (Aus) (Helmet {Aus}), SP-Aus; and Rainbow Connection (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}), GSP-Aus. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–Romantic Warrior (Ire), 126, g, 5, Acclamation (GB)–Folk Melody (Ire), by Street Cry (Ire). (300,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT; HK$4,800,000 HRA '21 HKJUN). O-Peter Lau Pak Fai; B-Corduff Stud & T J Rooney; T-Danny Shum Chap-shing; J-Karis Teetan; HK$2,640,000.
3–California Spangle (Ire), 126, g, 5, Starspangledbanner (Aus)–Pearlitas Passion (Ire), by High Chaparral (Ire). (€150,000 Ylg '19 GOFORB). O-Howard Liang Yu Shing; B-M Enright; T-Tony Cruz; Zac Purton; HK$1,200,000.
Margins: 1, NK, 3HF. Odds: 3-2, 1-1, 29-10.
Also Ran: Waikuku (Ire), Beauty Joy (Aus), Russian Emperor (Ire), Panfield (Chi). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing.
Voyage Bubble Specta-'Kah'-lar in Classic Mile…
When jockey Derek Leung opted for Sword Point (Aus) (American Pharoah) in Sunday's Hong Kong Classic Mile, trainer Ricky Yiu reached out to Mickael Barzalona to partner with Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), only to lose his services when the Frenchman was handed a suspension in Dubai. The conditioner then rang up Australia's Jamie Kah, whose first rides in Hong Kong came during last month's Longines International Jockeys' Championship, and who jetted in after five mounts Saturday at Moonee Valley in Melbourne. Let go at odds of 11-1, Voyage Bubble was given a perfectly rated ride from the front by the 26-year-old to score the upset.
Favored Packing Treadmill (Aus) (Manhattan Rain {Aus}) and Keefy (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) were the two quickest away, but Kah took advantage of her low draw and, after a bit of a tardy dispatch, sent Voyage Bubble through to lead linking up with the course proper and slowed the pace right down. Passing the half-way point in a modest :48.51, Voyage Bubble was allowed an especially easy time of things from the 800m to the 400m–covering that section in :23.29–and the duo therefore had something left for the finish, sprinting the final two furlongs in :22.78 for a straight-forward success. Tuchel (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) came on for second having sat a perfect inside trip, while Packing Treadmill kept on for third.
“I'm pretty speechless, it's been a very special day,” said Kah, riding her second winner of the day and third overall in Hong Kong after posting a victory on IJC night. “I've had such a great experience here with some beautiful horses I have ridden. I was speechless after and I got goosebumps–it's hard to make me speechless, it was a very exciting day.”
She added, “He was mapped to get a really nice, sweet run in the race and I was confident. I was just worried about him late as he has the tendency to lay in and I just thought something's going to swoop him late but he just built and built, he got stronger and stronger and probably at the 200 [-metre mark] I thought we were never in doubt–it was a really impressive win going forward.”
With the victory, Voyage Bubble becomes the 24th black-type winner for Deep Field and his second in Hong Kong, joining 2021 G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint hero Sky Field (Aus). Overall, Deep Field is the sire of 28 winners from 48 starters in Hong Kong. Voyage Bubble is out of a half-sister to Bannock (Ire) (Bertolini), winner of the Listed Rockingham S. and placed in the G2 Richmond S. and G2 July S. for Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed al Maktoum and Mark Johnston as well as Australian listed winner Moulin Lady (Aus) (Reset {Aus}). This is also the extended female family of Canadian Horse of the Year Never Retreat (Smart Strike) and Sweetest Chant.
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong HONG KONG CLASSIC MILE-LR, HK$12,000,000, Sha Tin, 1-29, NH/SH4yo, 1600mT, 1:34.58, gd.
1–VOYAGE BUBBLE (AUS), 126, g, 4, by Deep Field (Aus) 1st Dam: Raheights (Aus), by Rahy 2nd Dam: Laoub, by Red Ransom 3rd Dam: Lisieux, by Steady Growth 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (A$380,000 Ylg '20 INGFEB). O-Sunshine and Moonlight Syndicate; B-Torryburn Stud (NSW); T-Ricky Yiu Poon-fai; J-Jamie Kah; HK$6,840,000. Lifetime Record: 9-4-3-1, HK$10,617,725. *1/2 to Brettan (Aus) (Commands {Aus}), SP-Aus; and Diddums (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), GSW-Aus, $164,688.
2–Tuchel (NZ), 126, g, 4, Redwood (GB)–Trista Rossa (Aus), by Testa Rossa (Aus). (NZ$130,000 Ylg '20 NZBJAN). O-Philip Chan Kwok Chung; B-G Harvey; T-John Size; J-Luke Currie; HK$2,640,000.
3–Packing Treadmill (Aus), 126, g, 4, Manhattan Rain (Aus)–I'm An Outoftowner (Aus), by Dane Shadow (Aus). (A$30,000 Wlg '19 IGLJUN). O-Exciting Racing Syndicate; B-A Beard (Vic); T-Francis Lui Kin-wai; J-Zac Purton; HK$1,200,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, 1HF, 1. Odds: 10-1, 21-1, 3-1.
Also Ran: Cordyceps Six (Aus), Galaxy Witness (Aus), Sword Point (Aus), Keefy (Aus), (DH) Beautyverse (NZ), (DH) Sweet Encounter (NZ), La City Blanche (Arg), Bon's A Pearla (Aus), Viva Chaleur (Fr), Flagship Warrior (Aus), Ivy League (Ire). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing.
Revenge is squarely on the mind of reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) as he faces one of his stiffest tests to date in Sunday's G1 Stewards' Cup at Sha Tin Racecourse.
Having suffered a shock defeat at the hands of the re-opposing Waikuku (Ire) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) when in search of a record-equalling 17th consecutive victory in last year's Stewards' Cup, the 7-year-old enters this race with another chip on his shoulder, having failed to reel in loose-on-the-lead California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) when attempting the three-peat last time in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile Dec. 12.
The task at hand is made trickier still by the presence of the once-beaten Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), who is cutting back to the mile after decimating his opposition in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup going 2000 metres last month. But jockey Vincent Ho, who has been aboard Golden Sixty in each of his 26 career starts–22 of those victorious–is relishing every last opportunity to ride a horse of this calibre.
“The horse is like a family member to me. In the morning if I come to work, I go and visit him every time to see how he is. He's definitely like a pet but, of course, he's in the stable. I wish I had more time to do more stuff with him,” Ho said.
“Horses like this don't stay forever and you have to cherish and enjoy every moment with him. When I work him or riding him in races, you have to enjoy those moments.”
In what figures a tactical affair where decision making will be at a premium, Zac Purton will put California Spangle on the engine, try to slow the pace as much as possible and try to hold off his two chief adversaries. But he is well aware that there is little margin for error.
“A small, little thing that happens at some stage of the race might be the defining moment for the result, so we all have to be on our game,” Purton, a five-time Hong Kong champion jockey, said. “More importantly, all the horses look like they're on their game and they're fit. It's still early on in their preparation, so none of them are going to be over the top. We just hope it's going to be a good race.”
Last year's BMW Hong Kong Derby hero, Romantic Warrior is going for a unique Group 1 treble, having won the G1 FWD QE II Cup and the Hong Kong Cup. Win or lose, he makes his next start back at 10 furlongs in the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup and it will be interesting to see how he fits with top-class milers over a trip that is possibly short of his best. His human connections are not lacking for confidence.
“We have some confidence. It's not a big field–just seven horses–so the horse can stay behind California Spangle and we have some confidence that we can beat him,” said trainer Danny Shum Chap-shing. “He's in really good form, so I have confidence in him.”
The supporting feature is the Hong Kong Classic Mile, won last year by Romantic Warrior. Packing Treadmill (Aus) (Manhattan Rain {Aus}) could jump a lukewarm favourite for Purton and Golden Sixty's trainer Francis Lui, with Class 1 winner Keefy (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) and Sweet Encounter (NZ) (Toronado {Ire})–to be ridden by Ryan Moore for John Size–also taking market support.
Sun Jewellery (2016)
Helios Express (2024)#4YOSeries | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/NxbLbxquYv
Helios Express is back in action this Sunday… 
Sha Tin, 4 Feb | 