Riding a euphoric wave after Romantic Warrior’s stunning G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) triumph in Tokyo on Sunday (2 June), Danny Shum was again to the fore at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (5 June) with a double.
Shum struck with Hong Kong first-starter Packing Power and Helene Warrior to boost his domestic tally for the 2023/24 season to 47 wins – a tally capped by Romantic Warrior’s victories in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m), G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) and the G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m).
The star middle-distance galloper has safely returned to Hong Kong following his Yasuda Kinen triumph – his second overseas victory this season following success in the G1 W.S. Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley in October.
Shum struck tonight with a pair of three-year-olds as the master horseman paraded fresh talent while extending his lead in the Happy Valley standings, where he now has 30 wins for the season, one more than Caspar Fownes (29).
By Toronado, Australian-bred Packing Power claimed the first section of the Class 4 Mount Nicholson Handicap (1200m) under Zac Purton to provide the six-time champion jockey with his 110th win of the campaign.
“He (Packing Power) is still very green and he can improve a bit more. He’s not a superstar, but he’s got some talent,” Shum said. “Hopefully he will improve next season. He might have a break now, but I’ll just talk to the owners.”