Chasing a feature race double for John Size at Sha Tin on Saturday (31 May), Hugh Bowman is optimistic Red Lion can prove an upset G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) victory over Voyage Bubble was no fluke when he tackles the HK$4.2 million G3 Lion Rock Trophy Handicap (1600m).
Red Lion famously edged out Voyage Bubble in the FWD Champions Mile at Sha Tin last month, scoring by a short head at odds of 89/1 in a result which shocked many – but not Bowman.
“Maybe Voyage Bubble ran under par there (in the FWD Champions Mile) but obviously it was a career-best performance as far as a winning race goes for Red Lion but I think he went every bit as good as that in the same race last year (when second to stablemate Beauty Eternal),” the Australian said.
“He just came up a bit short that day.
“But, obviously with that win (in the 2025 FWD Champions Mile), he gains a profile and expectation coming into this race and Red Lion has got to give some very competitive opposition a fair bit of weight but I think he will have to put his best foot forward.”
Red Lion will carry 135lb, conceding weight to Chancheng Glory (131lb), Beauty Eternal (130lb), Beauty Joy (129lb), Happy Together (127lb), Sunlight Power (124lb), Divano (119lb), Encountered (115lb), Johannes Brahms (115lb), Ka Ying Generation (115lb) and Pray For Mir (115lb).
Fresh from Voyage Bubble’s stunning HK$13 million G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) triumph last Sunday (25 May), Ricky Yiu is plotting more feature race success with Sunlight Power, who charged into third place behind Red Lion and Voyage Bubble in the FWD Champions Mile.
“That was a storming run. It was very encouraging last start to finish third in a Group 1. This horse has done well, he loves Conghua very much and he’s had a good break in between runs. This Group 3 looks ideal for him,” Yiu said.
“He’s only lightly raced so, of course, he should still be improving. He’s not old but he’s getting more experienced these days.”
Bowman will also ride Helios Express in the HK$4.2 million G3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap (1200m), hopeful the gelding can advance to a much-deserved victory after posting five seconds and two thirds this season behind champion sprinter Ka Ying Rising.
Three of those seconds behind Ka Ying Rising were at Group 1 level but with four-time Group 1 winner Lucky Sweynesse (135lb) contesting Saturday’s feature, Helios Express will carry just 123lb.
“He (Helios Express) looks well-placed, he’s been racing well all season. He hasn’t let anyone down at any stage and with Lucky Sweynesse being in the race it gives him a very, very attractive weight,” Bowman said.
Winner of the 2024 HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) and HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m), Helios Express has six victories and nine minor placings from 16 Hong Kong starts and will again face HK$13 million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) winner Victor The Winner on Saturday.
Victor The Winner’s trainer David Eustace said: “He’s been training well and I’m very happy with him. He’s going to get weight this weekend off horses for the first time in a long time, that’s got to be a plus.
“Any rain would be a plus for him as well. I’m confident he’s in good shape and hopefully we can see his old form.”
Victor The Winner will carry (120lb) on Saturday and, as well as meeting Lucky Sweynesse and Helios Express, he will also face Lucky With You (122lb), Patch Of Theta (115lb), Magic Control (115lb), Invincible Sage (115lb), Mugen (115lb), Copartner Prance (115lb), Beauty Waves (115lb) and Lady’s Choice (115lb).
Saturday’s (31 May) 11-race card at Sha Tin starts with the Class 5 Shing Mun River Channel Handicap (1400m) at 12.30pm.
By Leo Schlink
