Helios Express is enjoying a fine season and trainer John Size hopes the galloper can reap a deserving victory for his remarkable consistency when he lines up in the HK$4.2 million G3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap (1200m) on 31 May at Sha Tin.

The 117-rating sprinter would be a three-time Group 1 winner had Ka Ying Rising not burst onto the scene this term, although Helios Express’ ‘no quit’ attitude has returned connections HK$16.31 million across an admirable but winless five-year-old campaign.  

Trialling on Monday morning (12 May), Helios Express tracked wide under regular jockey Hugh Bowman at Sha Tin. The Australian rider urged his mount along in the home straight before finishing a well-held fourth in 1m 09.86s on the dirt over 1200m.

“He seems alright. He seems to be healthy, fit and well. He’s running very consistently and that’s the way he’s been at home – his status hasn’t changed,” Size said. “He’s been very good all through the year.”

Helios Express has placed in all seven outings this season, headlined by a trio of seconds to freakish talent Ka Ying Rising in the HK$26 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), HK$13 million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) and HK$13 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m).

Group 1 winner Red Lion, who prevailed over Voyage Bubble in the HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m), also tuned up on Monday alongside Beauty Eternal.

The duo contests 31 May’s HK$4.2 million G3 Lion Rock Trophy Handicap (1600m) for master trainer Size, who has 1,599 career wins in Hong Kong and 12 trainers’ championships. 

“He (Red Lion) looks good and he looks to be in good shape. He seems to have done well after the race. We were all very thrilled about winning. It was quite an achievement by the horse, he did very well,” Size said. “Voyage Bubble has been a dominant horse. To get a photo off him, we were pretty lucky that day.”

Red Lion clocked 1m 09.98s in third, while Beauty Eternal was second in 1m 09.89s behind the leading Packing Hermod, who posted 1m 09.79s over 1200m in heat one.

Trainer Francis Lui is pointing towards the HK$4.2 million G3 Premier Cup Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin on 22 June with Packing Hermod. The four-year-old Rubick gelding is expected to feature in a Class 2 race over 1400m on 25 May at Sha Tin next up.

“I am very happy with him (Packing Hermod). He’s a fresh horse. I think he’s improved. He runs over 1400 metres next at Sha Tin. We are looking to the end of June – a Group 3 race. I think 1400 is his best distance,” Lui said.

Size, 70, leads the trainers’ championship with 56 wins. The Australian Racing Hall of Fame inductee saddles Stellar Express, Country Dancer and Wukong Jewellery at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (14 May) in his bid for a 1,600th Hong Kong win.