Trainer Danny Shum will now plot a path towards Hong Kong’s famed Four-Year-Old Classic Series with Packing Power and Helene Warrior, who enhanced their credentials with first-up victories at the season-opening Happy Valley meeting for the 2024/25 Hong Kong racing season.
Packing Power extended his unbeaten run to two with a commanding two-and-a-half length win in the Class 4 Shek O Handicap (1200m), three months after his breakthrough success in early June. Trainer Danny Shum has confirmed the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on January 31 as a key target for the son of Toronado.
“He’s nice. Luckily the owners trusted me to give him a lot of time to mature,” Shum said. “Maybe he will go to Sha Tin next, we’ll see how he goes. (The Classic Mile) is the plan. I think he’ll get 1400m and 1600m.”
So good, Packing Power! 🔥
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) September 12, 2024
The 4YO sizzled with a second straight win for @zpurton and Danny Shum at Happy Valley last night… #HappyWednesday | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/TOYNBTGkUM
The Hong Kong Classic Mile is the first leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, followed by the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) on March 2 and culminating in the BMW Hong Kong Derby on March 23.
From Toronado’s 10 runners in Hong Kong so far, Packing Power will aim to become the fifth of his progeny to contest the city’s prized four-year-old series, a group underscored by last season’s Classic Mile and Classic Cup winner, Helios Express.
Packing Power’s dam, Chloe Anna, won three times from the mile up to 2041m.
Helene Warrior, meanwhile, furthered his Derby aspirations with a gritty win in the Class 3 Hoi Mei Handicap (1650m). The three-year-old colt, formerly known as Red Zone Hero when racing in the UK, made all to secure a half-length victory.
“I think he’ll handle the (Derby) distance, but only if he’s more settled. If he’s like this, it will be very difficult. He has Hugh Bowman to help him and hopefully he gets there. He’s still a colt. His bodyweight’s not heavy, so I’m worried about gelding him. You can see he sweats so much, so if he relaxes a bit more, he’ll be a lot better,” Shum said.
