Helios Express is aiming to go one better at Sha Tin this Sunday (26 October) when he lines up in the HK$5.35 million G2 Premier Bowl Handicap (1200m) for Australian Racing Hall of Famer John Size.

Second in last year’s edition behind Ka Ying Rising, Helios Express makes his reappearance as one of 14 entries in the contest and one of three for Size, a 13-time Hong Kong Champion Trainer, who is hoping to capitalise on the reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year’s (2024/25) rare absence this weekend.

Ka Ying Rising, successful in the world’s richest turf race, the G1 The Everest (1200m) on Saturday (18 October), returned to Hong Kong early this morning (Tuesday, 21 October) from Sydney, Australia. Helios Express was second to Ka Ying Rising in three Group 1 races last term before his consistency was rewarded with success in May’s HK$4.2 million G3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap (1200m) under jockey Hugh Bowman.

Size said: “Helios Express seems alright. He has a heavy weight, so he has to deal with that. He’s coming up okay, but the handicap’s not going to help him much. We have to run him in a handicap to get him started.”

Helios Express’ stablemates Wunderbar and Raging Blizzard hold entries to run in the Premier Bowl along with Beauty Waves, Lucky With You, Fast Network, Packing Hermod, Invincible Sage, Divano, Magic Control, Bottomuptogether, Mugen, Tomodachi Kokoroe and Invincible Shield. The race serves as a key lead-up as the journey to the HK$28 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at 14 December’s HK$130 million LONGINES Hong Kong International Races gathers momentum.

Helios Express has had three barrier trials ahead of his return, where he’ll carry top-weight (135lb), some 20lb more than several rivals, as the 122-rating race-topper. The Toronado gelding was fourth to Dazzling Fit over 1200m in a dirt course trial at Sha Tin last week (Friday, 17 October).

Wunderbar, the only horse to defeat Ka Ying Rising – not just once, but twice – through his first season of racing, was fourth first-up behind Fast Network on 1 October in the HK$4.2 million G3 National Day Cup Handicap (1000m) for Size, who is eyeing further advancement with the chestnut gelding by Rich Enuff.

“He (Wunderbar) seems fine, he’s in pretty good order also. He’s healthy and well and he might have a little bit more improvement in him. The handicap (assigned 118lb before declarations) will suit him and he’ll run a good race,” Size said.

The in-form Raging Blizzard – twice successful in Class 2 last season at Sha Tin over 1200m – was second by a neck in the National Day Cup behind winner Fast Network last start.

Of the 108-rated Raging Blizzard, Size said: “He keeps improving. He’s worked his way up the ratings quite consistently and he’s doing well. You can’t deny him, he might have more in him. He’s a very unassuming little horse, but he’s certainly done a good job.”

Master trainer Size has won the Premier Bowl four times with Rich Unicorn (2011), Mr Stunning (2017), Hot King Prawn (2018) and Sight Success (2023).

Entered for Sunday’s HK$3.12 million Class 2 Panasonic Cup Handicap (1600m), Bundle Award tuned up at Sha Tin this morning in a barrier trial over 1200m for Size alongside stablemate and 2025/26 Four-Year-Old Classic Series’ prospect Sky Jewellery – a three-time winner. Bundle Award was ninth, while Sky Jewellery was sixth behind a tearaway Sports Legend, who clocked a winning time of 1m 10.46s.