Helios Express stands out on undercard

Luke Middlebrook

Hong Kong racing continues on Sunday for a 10-race card highlighted by the unparalleled excitement that is the Hong Kong International Races.

Trainer John Size will be hoping that up-and-coming four-year-old Helios Express can shine on the HKIR undercard when he tests his mettle up in distance in the Class 2 Handicap over 1400m.

Helios Express is undoubtedly one of the most exciting talents emerging on the scene, especially after his impressive return in his first Class 2 test three weeks ago. The son of Toronado aimed for a hat-trick of wins on that occasion, following two facile victories towards the end of the last season. He initially debuted with a narrow second-place finish in early June, a race he arguably could have won if not for being ridden for luck from barrier 12, flashing home late to miss by a head.

As Helios Express stretches to 1400m for the first time in his career on Sunday, it will offer connections and punters a better understanding of where he stands among the pecking order of up-and-coming four-year-olds, especially with the looming first leg of the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) in early February which will be high on the agenda. From what has been observed, however, is that he possesses a certain x-factor.

Expecting Size to have a good day, four-year-old Simple Hedge can put a luckless first-up run behind him and bounce back second-up in the Class 3 Handicap over 1400m at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Simple Hedge looked handy in his first season of racing last season by securing three wins from six starts, capped off with a handy win on his first start in Class 3. Resuming off a four-month break three weeks ago, Simple Hedge drew wide in barrier 11 and never found cover, racing wide throughout. Still, he was only beaten 2.25 lengths into seventh and it was decent return under the circumstances.

Fitter now second-up and coming into barrier No 5, Simple Hedge will be getting more favours. He should be hard to beat off the back of a promising trial in between starts.

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Gorgeous Win debut run was good and has trialled well since. Hard to beat second-up from barrier 4 for Purton and Shum. Patch Of Time having second start and can improve with experience after a fair first-up fourth. Lucky Planet caught the eye last start running home powerfully but barrier 3 should see him map closer. Phoenix Light blinkers have been added and must be a big chance as he drops in grade. Hong Kong Hall clearly has a better chance over this distance and expect a better run after a first-up failure – he’s better than that.

Race 2: Star Club more than capable of winning again in this race after an impressive first-up victory. Jumbo Fortune drops down in grade and start following. Still a maiden, but he should pick up a win in Class 4 soon. Circuit Nine turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly and expect a similar effort here. Winning Data was an easy last start winner and can go on with it.

Race 3: Simple Hedge had no luck last start, racing wide throughout from a wide draw, but he kept on well late and wasn’t beaten far. Trialled well in between runs, gets a lower draw and will be fitter now, naturally. Hard to beat. Tamra Blitz was an easy last start winner and must be respected. Beauty Crescent remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here but the wide draw is a concern. Capital Delight every chance last start but still ran a good race. Moreira gets the ride and expect a big run. Global Harmony racing consistently of late and expect another big run.

Race 4: Warm Heart Tough, on-pace running filly who was narrowly beaten by Inspiral in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf in early November. Had won five of her previous six starts, at 2000m and 2400m, in three different countries. Lebensstil lightly raced and improving three-year-old who advanced to stakes level at his 5th start and ran on strongly when 3rd in G3 Radio Nikkei Sho behind Elton Barows who then beat Songline at G2 level. The step up to 2400 metres unlikely to pose any problem. West Wind Blows UAE raider who arrives via a creditable campaign in Melbourne, but plenty went wrong on his last start there and a positive jockey change here could enhance his chances. Junko arrives after easy, front-running win against just three rivals in the G1 Grosser Preis von Bayern. That followed good closing 3rd behind Iresine in the G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris. Zeffiro improving Japanese stayer. Won the G2 Copa Republica Argentina at Tokyo after 3rd to Rousham Park and Titleholder in G2 Sankei Sho All Comers at previous start.

Race 5: Lucky Sweynesse collected three G1 wins last term. Fine efforts in his first two runs this season, second both times, before winning the G2 Jockey Club Sprint latest. Currently the world’s top-rated sprinter. Wellington winner of this race last year and resumed with a solid effort when third to Lucky Sweynesse first-up latest. Blinkers go on first time here interestingly. Highfield Princess something of a 1000m specialist but boasts multiple wins at 1400m. Strong G1 form and rates highly. Aesop’s Fables wore blinkers first time when closing 3rd to Highfield Princess in the G1 Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp before finishing well when 3rd to Nobals in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita last month. Mad Cool won four successive races in lower grade before past four runs at stakes level yielded a Listed win and two Group race placings.

Race 6: Silver King holding form with recent good trial and looks well place to win second-up after a solid first-up performance over 1200m. Rises in distance and is suited. Ensued quality type who remains unbeaten locally to date and will go close again. Awesome Fluke backing up quickly from last week when on debut and ran a big race into third, can run well again. Billionaire Secret generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home. Swan Bay remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here after turning in several encouraging runs.

Race 7: Golden Sixty winner of 25 out of 29 career starts ranging from 1200m to 2000m, boasting an unmatched nine G1 wins. Still Hong Kong’s standout superstar. Beauty Eternal model of consistency with eight wins, one second and three thirds from just 12 starts. finished a fine third in his seasonal debut in the G2 Sha Tin Trophy, before winning the Jockey Club Mile on his latest outing. Namur freshened after being well beaten in G1 Yasuda Kinen in June and has been excellent in two runs since. Outstanding performance to win the G1 Mile Championship at latest run in November. California Spangle winner of this race last year and looks a chance again if he can reproduce that form after a disappointing last-start effort. Soul Rush comfortable win in the G3 Keisei Hai Autumn in September. That followed his 9th behind Songline in the G1 Yasuda Kinen in which he made late ground.

Race 8: Romantic Warrior 11-time winner across three seasons in Hong Kong. Showed further improvement this season, finished fourth in the G1 Turnbull Stakes before a famous success in the G1 Cox Plate latest. Prognosis 3rd to the world’s highest-rated horse Equinox in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn on 29 October. Similarly finished well when 2nd to Romantic Warrior in the QEII Cup in April. Rousham Park much improved this season and described as G1 winner in waiting after Sankei Sho All Comers win. Luxembourg high-class 4yo who appreciated drop back to 2000m when 0.5L 2nd to the subsequent Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Auguste Rodin in G1 Irish Champion Stakes in September. Hishi Iguazu fast-finishing second to Loves Only You in the 2021 G1 Hong Kong Cup. Raced twice in 2022 with best result a 2nd to Titleholder in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen. Began 2023 with a second win in the G2 Nakayama Kinen.

Race 9: Galaxy Patch more than capable of winning again in this race after a brilliant last-start win after a moderate all-weather run. Drawn well low and looks a horse on the up. Beauty Waves last run suggested a win was very near. Solid effort and should give a big sight here. Raging Blizzard rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up. Looks to have plenty of points up his sleeve. Sweet Briar nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance returning to Sha Tin. The Heir good performance when storming home for a nice second last start – a very promising debut performance.

Race 10: Helios Express highly promising four-year-old and is the one to beat. Barrier 12 will make him earn it, but he is clearly the best horse going forward and just needs a good steer to continue his winning ways. Atullibigeal consistent performer of late and worth considering after strong runs this preparation. Taj Dragon had no luck last start but keep following as he returns to Sha Tin. The Golden Scenery caused a surprise last start when winning at big odds. Flaming Rabbit looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form. No luck last start with an ill-judged ride.