Bundle Award charged into HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) calculations with a brilliant victory in the Class 2 Carpenter Handicap (1800m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (9 March) to fan hopes of a fourth Classic triumph for champion trainer John Size.
Ridden perfectly by Ben Thompson, the 75-rating Shamus Award gelding (115lb) charged from last at the 400m in a searing 22.11s to down Markwin (115lb) and Helene Feeling (135lb) to enhance claims of clinching a place in the BMW Hong Kong Derby on 23 March.
“It felt as good as it would have looked,” Thompson said of the gelding’s blistering finish. “I was confident he would let rip when it was time to go. He was super. He’s handled by a master in John Size. He’s versatile. He’s a lovely horse.”
Size, who saddled Fay Fay (2012), Luger (2015) and Ping Hai Star (2018) to BMW Hong Kong Derby victory, said: “He (Bundle Award) did very well. He seems to settle and relax and didn’t seem to waste any energy. He had plenty of resources left for the finish.”
Fifth behind Sky Heart over 1600m after drawing barrier one at his previous start, Bundle Award – who won three times in Australia for Jason & Allan Williams as Prince Prawn – appreciated being dropped to the tail of the field today before Thompson drove the gelding out to the middle of the track and unleashed a devastating sprint.