The Winnabe
| THE WINNABE | |
|---|---|
| TRAINER | John Size |
| AGE | Three |
| RECORD | 3:2-1-0 |
| SIRE | Caravaggio |
| WINNING DISTANCES | 1200m |
Burst onto the scene with an impressive debut in May. Although the official winning margin was only half a length, the way he finished inside the final 200 metres screamed upside. The market clearly agreed, as he started at $1.2 for his second start and won comfortably.
Tasted defeat in his third race when stepping up in class and distance, but lost no admirers after a slow start cost him the win.
2024-25 Outlook: Typical Size ‘progressive PPG’ heading higher in ratings
Wunderbar
| WUNDERBAR | |
|---|---|
| TRAINER | John Size |
| AGE | Three |
| RECORD | 5:4-1-0 |
| SIRE | Rich Enuff |
| WINNING DISTANCES | 1000m, 1200m |
Another Size-trained up-and-comer making a comeback from injury after pulling up lame in the right front leg during his last race on January 21. He subsequently underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone fragment from his right knee.
What makes his return particularly interesting is that he had an edge over some rivals that have shown rapid progress including Ka Ying Rising, the G3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap (1200m) winner, and Mugen, the Group 3 Premier Cup Handicap (1400m) winner.
2024-25 Outlook: Has the potential to rise to the top of the sprinting ranks.
Packing Hermod
| PACKING HERMOD | |
|---|---|
| TRAINER | Francis Lui |
| AGE | Three |
| RECORD | 1:1-0-0 |
| SIRE | Rubick |
| WINNING DISTANCES | 1200m |
It’s not easy to win on debut at Happy Valley, so trainer Francis Lui can certainly look forward to what up-and-comer Packing Hermod has to come. On June 26, Packing Hermod produced a head-turning debut win at the city circuit’s 1200 metre course.
It was a soft two-and-a-half-length victory under Zac Purton, and Lui has made it clear that he hopes Packing Hermod will develop into a Classic Series contender next term.
2024-25 Outlook: Needs to ascend the ratings to reach a competitive rating for the 4YO Classic Series.
Ka Ying Rising
| KA YING RISING | |
|---|---|
| TRAINER | David Hayes |
| AGE | Three |
| RECORD | 7:5-2-0 |
| SIRE | Shamexpress |
| WINNING DISTANCES | 1200m |
David Hayes still hasn’t won a Group 1 since returning to Hong Kong four years ago, but Ka Ying Rising could be the horse to change that after a breakout season. Ka Ying Rising won five from seven starts and culminated in his first Group victory in the G3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap (1200m).
The Hong Kong sprint ranks look unusually weak for a category that is traditionally its strongest and Ka Ying Rising looks ready to take the next step into that void.
2024-25 Outlook: Group 1 sprint contender in the making.
Elliptical
| ELLIPTICAL | |
|---|---|
| TRAINER | Francis Lui |
| AGE | Four |
| RECORD | 8:0-0-0 |
| SIRE | Dundeel |
| WINNING DISTANCES | 1400m |
This well-credentialed winner of two Australian races, including the 2023 G3 C. S. Hayes Stakes (1400m), has failed to show his best in eight Hong Kong starts for Caspar Fownes. In early July, owner Karen Lo transferred her two horses from Fownes to other stables; Elliptical to Francis Lui and Straight Arron to Ricky Yiu. Given more time to acclimatise, Elliptical might be ready to show something in his second Hong Kong season.
2024-25 Outlook: A drop in ratings and more time to settle in could spark improvement in his second Hong Kong season.
