Helios Express looked every inch a horse on the verge of stardom Feb. 4 at Sha Tin Racecourse, easily dispatching eight rivals to win the Hong Kong Classic Mile, the first of a three-race series for 4-year-olds that concludes with the Hong Kong Derby.
Helios Express, a Toronado gelding, went to the post as a heavy favorite, having won four of his first six races in Hong Kong. With Hugh Bowman riding for trainer John Size, he had no trouble delivering a fifth victory.
Helios Express had a smooth trip throughout, albeit behind a dawdling early pace. Put into the race some 300 meters from the finish, he quickly got to even terms with the longshot early leader, Chancheng Glory, and galloped home first by 1 3/4 length. Bowman did not have to ask for his best.
Helene Feeling finished second with Zac Purton aboard. Star Mac was third and Speed Dragon may have been denied a better finish than fourth by some traffic problems in the straight.
Size said the victory confirmed Helios Express’ status atop his generation in Hong Kong.
“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,” Size said. “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.”
The trainer also confirmed the gelding will seek a sweep of the Derby series, a feat so far achieved only by Golden Sixty in 2020 and Rapper Dragon in 2017. The next step is the Hong Kong Classic Cup at 1,800 meters (about 1 1/8 miles) March 3. Contenders then must stay 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) in the Derby to earn the crown.
While the Hong Kong Jockey Club has dramatically expanded its roster of group 1 international races, the historic Hong Kong Derby remains a prime target for local owners and trainers. It also has been a reliable producer of contenders for those group 1 events.
“There’s always some concern,” Size said about the series, “Because the circumstances of the races can change dramatically from one race to the next. The good horses overcome a different style of running and they win. He has to do that. He has that in front of him.”
Bowman was happy with Helios Express’ performance but added a qualifier.
“The critical side of me says I would have liked for him to settle a bit better in the run,” the jockey said. “But it was a very sedate tempo which encouraged him to travel the way he did. 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.”
Helios Express, then known as Tex Mex, won his only start in Australia before shipping to Hong Kong. He has yet to race beyond a mile.
