Bowman plots conservative ride in HK Derby

Hoping to guide Helios Express to complete dominance of the 2024 Four-Year-Old Classic Series with victory in the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, Hugh Bowman will adopt conservative tactics on John Size’s contender.

Chasing a third Classic triumph in Hong Kong after victories on John Moore’s Werther (2016) and Frankie Lor’s Furore (2019), Bowman and Helios Express stand on the brink of series history after wins in the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) and Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m).

BMW Hong Kong Derby victory would elevate Helios Express to parity in terms of four-year-old achievement with Rapper Dragon (2017) and Golden Sixty (2020) – the only two horses to clean sweep the series.

But, in order to remain unbeaten in the series, Helios Express will have to become the first horse to win the BMW Hong Kong Derby from barrier No 13 since Industrial Pioneer in 2001.

“It’s important that he (Helios Express) relaxes. He needs to relax to run the distance so we’ll have to ride a conservative race. It’ll depend on other people’s decisions as to how far back we go, but we’ll just get him to settle whether he’s midfield or further back. There’s not that much I can do about it,” Bowman said.

“He’s got the class but we don’t want to undo it in the first half, we’ve got to ensure we’ve got some energy left for the business end. If we can get the nice, smooth run like as I’ve said all along, he ought to make his presence felt.”

Helios Express will be flanked by two of his main rivals on Sunday, when Galaxy Patch steps away from gate 14 under Blake Shinn and Size stablemate Ensued jumps from barrier 12 for Ryan Moore.

Galaxy Patch and Ka Ying Generation will carry the hopes of young horseman Pierre Ng, who leads the 2023/24 trainers’ championship with 52 wins.

“For our second year of training, to have two horses in the Derby is a privilege for the stable. To participate is just a very good feeling,” Ng said.

“(They are) completely different horses – Ka Ying Generation has got the win at the distance and it’s just a matter of time before he makes a very good stayer. Galaxy Patch is the wild card. We just keep testing him.

“The last run (when second to California Spangle in the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup) was sort of the impossible mission, first time at 1400m in a Group 1, but he managed to run well, so hopefully he can do it again this weekend.

“Blake is a very good judge. Obviously, this type of horse gives a very good feeling in his trackwork, he has the strength and stride length to be a Group 1 horse and I’m pretty happy with him after his work the other day.”

Six-time Hong Kong champion jockey Zac Purton will search for his second BMW Hong Kong Derby score with Dennis Yip’s Massive Sovereign, who created a strong impression with his debut victory over 2000m at Sha Tin on 3 March.

“It’s not easy to do what he did (win on debut) of course. It hadn’t been done for 25 years but he’s a horse that seems to take everything in his stride and showed he was possibly able to handle it and he did,” said Purton, who won the 2015 Classic on Luger.

“He went past a lot of tired horses – horses that were hitting the wall after doing a bit of work – and if you sit out the back and do no work, it can be a bit deceiving but he let down nicely and he’s going to have to be a little bit better again this weekend.” – Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Geneva last start placing was full of merit after he had excuses in the, nice effort and he’s ready to win. Must Go form is good and is getting close to a win. Drawn well low in barrier 4 under Purton and should prove to be the testing material in a weak race. Strathbarry eased early before going on to make late ground. Improving with racing. Divano having first start and watch the betting odds. Trialled well enough but has drawn wide. Massive Talent poorly judged ride last start, forget the run and consider again.

Race 2: Second To None holding form with recent good trial and looks well placed to bounce back for a win here, coming into a much lower draw than last start. Sky Heart nice 3YO with a good chance here. But, again, he has drawn wide and will need luck in the run. However, he is a horse on the up. Lucky Fionn looks well placed and can be placed at value after he had excuses racing too keenly last start. Good Good well prepared for debut and is worth considering. Soaring Bronco having second start and can improve with experience. The rise in distance suits.

Race 3: Quite a few chances here. Less Is More turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly into fourth after getting too far back early in the run. Drawn well low in gate 2, Bowman should be able to position him handier here. Lifeline Express last run suggested a win was very near when a close up second. Champion Method has a great record in this class (two from two) and must be respected. Won a recent trial ahead of this and is in good form. Lucky Touch has trialled well for debut and should be rated a chance. Always Fluke can improve second-up from a break.

Race 4: Volcanic Spark holding form with recent good trial and looks well placed to bounce back for a win here. Drawn wide but the long straight to the bend should ensure Bowman has ample time to find a conducive position. Mister Dapper fresh up from a break and should run well. Californiatotality last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. Gets a jockey upgrade and has drawn well low. Beer Palace best run to date was last start and appears to be improving. Joyful Prosperity turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly.

Race 5: Ka Ying Rising nice 3YO with a good chance to win again here. But this race appears harder than last start and he will need a good steer from the wide barrier. Call Me Glorious turned in a very nice debut run and looks to have good ability. He can handle the rise in class and test the favourite. Toronado Phantom looks a solid good chance based on last start. Solid Impact last start winner who remains in the same grade. My Flying Angel having second start and can improve with experience after running out on condition first-up.

Race 6: Loyal Bo Bo scored a big win last start and it will pay to keep following. He has since won a trial emphatically and now looks set to win his way out of Class 4. Sky Trust form is good and is getting close to a win. Has to be considered here. Golden Darci video replay showed last run was very good and he is well rated in Class 4. Circuit Mighty can bounce back a winner anytime in this class. Purton takes the ride and improvement could be expected here. Spicy Gold recent barrier trial was good, suggesting a good run can be expected.

Race 7: Helios Express highly promising and remains the one to beat despite drawing wide after he was won the first two legs with authority. Galaxy Patch the best horse in the race who has a massive class edge on most of his rivals and only needs obtain a smooth run in transit to prove too strong late. Chill Chibi video replay showed last run was very good in Classic Cup. Massive Sovereign created a huge impression at local debut and looks talented, but this is much tougher. Star Mac improving type and getting close to a win. He will get back and charge late.

Race 8: Howdeepisyourlove was an easy last start winner and must be respected. Plenty of chances here but he has what it takes to keep the ball rolling here. Invincible Sage nice 4YO with a good chance here from barrier 4 under Shinn. Flying Ace generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home. With a well-timed ride, he can play a part in the finish. Packing Treadmill showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight to hold down fourth. Nervous Witness well supported last start and won accordingly over 1000m. 1200m is the query but he could be back in peak form.

Race 9: C P Brave changed stables recently and has improved. Last run was better than it reads after he mapped on-pace in a fast run race. Sweet Encounter has a great record in this class and must be respected, can bounce back anytime and form is strong. The Best Peach dropping in class and will find this much easier than last start. Holy Lake has shown ability and gets his chance to win here. Packing Hurricane was an easy last start winner and must be respected. Perhaps the penny has dropped and he can go on with it.

Race 10: Patch Of Theta rising in class and meets better horses but can measure up after a facile last-start victory in Class 4. He is a horse on the up and can go on with it. Green N White was not disgraced last start when beaten by a very smart horse. With any luck from the wide draw, he can prove the testing material. Magnificent Nine has been knocking on the door and win won’t surprise anyone. Aeroinvincible rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up. Sinba needs a fast early speed to produce a big finish. But if he can map closer from the low draw, his chances will improve.