Packing Power and Helene Warrior have emerged as potential contenders for the lucrative Four-Year-Old Classic Series as Danny Shum continued a strong start to the season by taking training honours with a double at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (11 September).

Shum confirmed the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on 31 January is Toronado gelding Packing Power’s objective after he breezed to a two and a half length win in the second section of the Class 4 Shek O Handicap (1200m), clocking 1m 10.40s with a 23.41s final 400m sectional under 135lb.

The Hong Kong Classic Mile is the first leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, which also features the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) on 2 March and is crowned by the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby on 23 March.

The latter is a possible target for Helene Warrior, an Irish-bred three-year-old, who landed the Class 3 Hoi Mei Handicap (1650m) for Hugh Bowman.

“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.

By Starspangledbanner, Helene Warrior won twice as a two-year-old in Great Britain for Michael Bell when he raced as Red Zone Hero.

Shum has been patient with Packing Power, who arrived in Hong Kong last December and did not start until June – winning convincingly over tonight’s course and distance under Purton – before being sent to Conghua for almost three months to further develop.

“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.”

Last season’s most successful trainer at Happy Valley with 33 wins, Shum has made a characteristically successful start to this season with four wins from 16 runners across the first two meetings.

Matthew Poon continued an excellent start to the season with victory aboard Manfred Man-trained Viva A La in the Class 5 Chung Hom Kok Handicap (1200m). Taking his tally this campaign to three wins after a Sha Tin double on Sunday (8 September), Poon attributed his success to hard work.

“I think it’s almost the best start to a season for me,” Poon said. “I started work early before the start of the season and I’m really keen to get support and trust of trainers. I really want to prove that we can get the job done if we have the horse. So, I’m very pleased to have the trust of owners and trainers.”

Luke Ferraris and Mark Newnham continued a burgeoning partnership with Scotch Tycoon’s all-the-way victory in the first section of the Class 4 Shek O Handicap (1200m).

Ferraris delivered the majority of Newnham’s 31 wins in a fine debut season by the Australian handler and, with the success of My Wish on Sunday and Scotch Tycoon tonight, the young South African has quickly reprised a successful trend.

“I’m extremely grateful – Mark’s extremely loyal and that just goes such a long way here,” Ferraris said. “You can work with the trainer and build a relationship and it’s pleasing to get a result like this.

“Mark backed me from when he started here and I’ve reciprocated and it seems to be paying off, so long may it continue.”

Ninja Derby provided Matthew Chadwick with his first win of the term with a brave display in the Class 5 Stanley Handicap (1650m) for Tony Cruz before Me Tsui-trained Sergeant Pepper surged late to land the Class 4 Kiu Tsui Handicap (1000m) for Ellis Wong.

Reigning Hong Kong champion trainer Francis Lui opened his 2024/25 account with Matsu Victor (121lb), who sat three-wide under Vincent Ho but still proved too strong in clinching the Class 4 Community Chest Cup Handicap (1650m).

By US Navy Flag, Matsu Victor struggled in his first five Hong Kong starts before closing last campaign with a surging second at Happy Valley over 1650m.

Benno Yung’s Super Joy N Fun posted his third win over the course and distance with success in the Class 3 Lido Handicap (1200m) under Jerry Chau.

Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday (15 September).