John Size reveals upcoming goals for progressive duo Helios Express and Wunderbar | HK Racing

Helios Express is heading to the Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200 metres) in December, but John Size has opted not to raise the bar with progressive sprinter Wunderbar.

The 12-time Hong Kong champion revealed his plans to have Helios Express sprint at least his next two starts following his blistering return when he finished second to Ka Ying Rising in the Group Two Premier Bowl (1,200m).

On his first start since finishing on the Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) circuit in March, the latter’s Toronado gelding steamed home in a scorching 21.74 seconds for the final 200 metres.

Despite impressive victories in the Classic Mile and Classic Cup (1,800m) last season, Helios Express will campaign as a sprinter in the Group Two Jockey Club Sprint (1,200m) and Hong Kong Sprint over the next two months.

“Helios Express and Howdeepisyourlove will participate in the sprint race on November 17,” Size said.

“I think the 1,200 meters (Helios Express) could run over that for a while until after the international races and then maybe we can change.

“He was good (first), he looked good and he came back well. He’s always been able to run sectionals, that’s what he does. With the four year olds we just had to go that way because he was the right age and he got away with two of them. But I don’t think that’s his strong point.”

Helios Express and Howdeepisyourlove, who finished seventh in the Premier Bowl, will face rematches with rising superstar Ka Ying Rising in the Jockey Club Sprint and Hong Kong Sprint.

Size opted not to target the same two points at Wunderbar, despite the four-year-old continuing his winning streak in his two starts this season.

“He will probably compete in the 1,000m race on November 9,” ​​Size said of Wunderbar’s target, a class two on the Sha Tin straight, where he will clash with Magic Control.

“There aren’t many options for him, but I think we’ll work through it.”

Wunderbar was a brilliant winner in six of seven starts and the only horse to beat Ka Ying Rising. He ran second behind Nervous Witness in a dirt trial in Sha Tin on Tuesday morning.

‘He seems fine. He’s just going through the process well,” Size said after Wunderbar finished solidly under Zac Purton’s guidance in the process.

Another duo from Size’s Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR), Beauty Eternal and Red Lion, finished one-two in an earlier stage on Tuesday.

“It was their normal training, I think they looked good. They’re both heading to the Jockey Club Mile on November 17 and I think they’re in pretty good shape,” Size said.

Beauty Eternal, the winner of the Group One Champions Mile in April, and Red Lion advance to the Group One Hong Kong Mile on the international day after the Jockey Club Mile.

They ran sixth and eighth respectively behind Galaxy Patch, the early nominal favorite for the Hong Kong Mile, in the Group Two Sha Tin Trophy (1,600m) first.

In other HKIR news, Aidan O’Brien and breeding giant Coolmore will consider using Jan Brueghel for the Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) following his shock victory in the Group One Melbourne Cup (3,200m).

The early favorite for next week’s Flemington race failed to meet Racing Victoria’s strict veterinary protocols and was withdrawn on Tuesday. Coolmore’s Tom Magnier said the undefeated galloper will be targeted at the Vase or return to Ireland.

While trainer Chris Waller and Via Sistina connections are yet to confirm her next target, there was speculation on Tuesday that the record-breaking Group One Cox Plate (2,040m) winner was doubtful to advance to the Melbourne Cup, which firmly puts a trip to Hong Kong on her radar.

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