Hong Kong: Helios Express To Blaze To Glory

Luke Middlebrook

Hong Kong racing continues on Sunday (July 9) for an 11-race fixture at Sha Tin.

Talented three-year-old HELIOS EXPRESS is a stand out on the card, with the up-and-comer set to continue his winning ways under champion jockey Zac Purton in the Class 3 Handicap over 1200m.

The John Size-trained talent arrived in Hong Kong with an unblemished one-for-one record in Australia, where he raced under the name Tex Mex. Drawn wide in barrier 12 for his local start, he was eased back early to find cover and encountered a slow-run race in which those on-pace dominated. However, HELIOS EXPRESS ran a tremendous race against the race shape, securing second place by a head on the wire.

The debut performance checked plenty of boxes, suggesting that HELIOS EXPRESS would be hard to beat second-up, and he proved just that. In his second start, with barrier 1, he positioned himself handier in mid-field and travelled strongly into the straight. Inside the 300m, he rounded up those in front and scored an empathic victory by three lengths, indicating that the gelding should be heading much higher in the ratings.

After Thursday’s haul of winners, Purton needs just two victories to surpass Joao Moreira’s record of 170 wins in a season, and he is every chance to create history on Sunday.

The first race on the card sees Purton remain on board debut-winning two-year-old KA YING VICTORY, who will be a strong chance to keep his unbeaten record intact in the Griffin race over 1200m.

KA YING VICTORY made his debut down the Sha Tin straight in the middle of last month, sent off as a well-backed $1.6 favourite, and did not let his backers down by posting an easy score. The official winning margin was only 0.75 lengths; however, Purton only had to pull the whip once, and the horse won comfortably.

The rise to 1200m should suit KA YING VICTORY even better in his second start, and he looks like a nice, promising youngster on the rise heading into next season.

Track Spy:

Video Replay Stars

Race 7 – 6 LOST CHILD
Just a three-year-old who has shown ability with one win from six starts so far and he is 21 days off a better run that it reads into fourth place. He was slow to begin which resulted in him racing near-last throughout, but he was strong late to cross the line 4.25 lengths astern. Winning jockey Hugh Bowman back in the saddle is a big tick this week, and blinkers on for the first time should also be positive to his chances.

Race 10 – 5 EURO ROCKS
His first-up run off a two-month break was one to forget as he was sent forward to lead from barrier 11 over 1400m, contrary to how he has been ridden in two local starts prior. Setting a decent tempo, he was unable to find in the straight and weakened to finish six lengths into 12th place. Back in distance should improve his chances, and so too would a quieter ride, as seen two starts ago when fourth behind Golden Express.

Sectional Time Stars

Race 4 – 2 EURO ROCKS
In his second run in Class 4 at this track and distance last time, he was well back in the fi eld in a moderately run race. However, he was the one who caught the eye against the race shape, letting down with the fastest final 400m section in the event to cross the line two lengths behind in fifth place.

Race 5 – 5 EASY SNIP
He will be better suited returning to Sha Tin here and he is off the back of an eye-catching effort at Happy Valley. Slow to begin, he settled back in the pack but came home the third-fastest in the race to check in seventh place, 2.75 lengths behind. He will need luck here, but can be strong late.

Luke Middlebrook’s Selections

R1. 3-2-1-10
R2. 1-6-2-4
R3. 5-4-2-3
R4. 2-8-11-7
R5. 7-2-5-8
R6. 6-4-2-7
R7. 4-6-2-8
R8. 3-6-2-11
R9. 3-6-2-11
R10. 1-3-12-5
R11. 14-8-6-13
Betting Strategy:
R1 #2 Win
R4 #2 Win
R7 #6 Each-Way
R10 #1 Win

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Ka Ying Victory created a huge impression on debut, winning smartly and with plenty in hand, and looks to have above aver- age potential. He should be winning again as the 1200m should be ideal. Super Bonus a last start winner who trialled well since and can test the favourite. Chancheng Glory nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance from pole position. Ruby Sailing showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight on debut, checking in second place. Holy Lake holding form with recent trial and can run well.

Race 2: Courier Wonder finally strikes a race where he can win. Much easier than recent contests and Bowman gets barrier 1, from where he should be hard to beat. Adios turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly into second place. The light weight and barrier 2 should provide an edge. Duke Wai resuming from a break and won a recent trial. Has to go close with Purton in the saddle. Rewarding Together finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start. Master Eight has not won for a long time but could surprise in a race of this nature.

Race 3: A wide-open Class 5 race with plenty of chances. General Winner good performance when storming home for a nice second last start. Still a maiden, but is knocking on the door. Superb Daddy was an easy last start winner and could repeat the dose. Brilliant Pioneer drops down in grade and start following with Purton in the plate. Surrealism down in class here and can surprise on best form. Lucky Missile should be highly suited by the drop back in distance and he has drawn nicely low.

Race 4: Endeared caught the eye flashing home late, nice effort and no surprises to see Purton jump in the saddle now (read “Track Spy” for more information). Hero Icon has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon, he’s ready. Noble One good performance when storming home for third place last start. Another who is getting close to victory. Champion Instinct important gear change with blinkers being added, expect improvement. Team Spirit will be suited by the rise in distance and can bounce back anytime at this level.

Race 5: Round The Globe improving type and getting close to a win. HE will get all the favours from barrier 1. Go Hero having second start and can improve with experience after he was slow to begin on debut but was only narrowly beaten into fourth place. Easy Snip generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home (read “Track Spy” for more information). Magic Supreme has a top jockey in the saddle (Purton) and that will help. Noble Pursuit well prepared for debut and is worth considering. He has shown ability in his work.

Race 6: Raging Blizzard has trialled well for debut for the John Size yard and should be rated a winning chance in race that lacks depth. Happy Soul is the main danger. Good performance when storming home for third place last start. First-up here and has drawn well low in barrier 1 where he will map with every chance. Sweet Briar last start winner who remains in the same grade. Commanding Missile last start winner who retains good form and can run well again. Super Winner can bounce back a winner anytime in this class. Keep safe.

Race 7: Golden Samurai good performance when storming home into second to up-and-comer Packing Bole last time. He can bounce back for a win. Lost Child blinkers have been added and must be a big chance to improve (read “Track Spy” for more information). Light Of Wanshi change of trainer recently and watch betting. Barrier 1 should provide the right run. Ho Ho Star finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start and is improving. Purton takes the ride third-up here. One Heart One important gear change with blinkers being added, and his recent starting prices have to be respected.

Race 8: Interesting race with plenty who are on winnable marks. Sakewin can run in a race like this with a safe beginning after he took no part last start. Has since won a trial easily and barrier 2 could see him give a big sight here. Ragnarr has trialled well enough for debut and should be rated a chance. Worth noting, he has been tardy out of the gates in some of his trials. Call Me Dandy comes out of a strong form race and looks suited here. Self Improvement caught wide last start and still ran well. Drops Of God will be suite by the rise in distance and can run well.

Race 9: Flying Mojito consistent performer of late and worth considering again. The form choice, he is the one to beat. Chilli Baba finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start and is nearing another win. War Weapon has a chance based on past form in this class of race, have to consider. Lucky Eternity recent runs have been encouraging and can run well at a price. Prince Alex has finished close up recently and can run well now that he has dropped plenty in the ratings.

Race 10: Helios Express scored a big win last start and it will pay to keep following. He is a horse on the up and should be making light work of this week’s rivals. Ace One turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly into second place and he is back in form. Tomodachi Kokoroe best run to date was last start and appears to be improving. He has early speed and can run well. Euro Rocks had excuses last start, leading too quick first-up over 1400m, and give another chance. Seizing The Moment video replay showed last run was very good.

Race 11: Silver Sonic improving type and getting close to a win. Barrier 1 should see him map a chance. Setanta form is good, winning two starts ago and backing it up with a second place, and must be rated a solid chance. Romantic Charm fresh up from a break and should run well. Noble Win good performance when storming home for third place last start. The wide draw could prove awkward however. Family Folks can bounce back anytime this class.

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