Tomodachi Kokoroe has emerged as an unlikely candidate for the HK$5.35 million G2 Premier Bowl Handicap (1200m) following a pair of supercharged wins in Class 2, and jockey Harry Bentley, 33, is hoping a light weight can give the Written Tycoon gelding an edge on Sunday afternoon (26 October).

He will line up at Sha Tin against towering opposition led by John Size’s sprint star Helios Express, who last season placed four times at Group 1 level behind Hong Kong Horse of the Year (2024/25) Ka Ying Rising. 

Trained by Australian Racing Hall of Famer David Hayes, Tomodachi Kokoroe has shot to prominence this season with two wins from two runs, including the first in a new Class 2 record time (1m 07.76s) for 1200m on turf at Sha Tin before the second came by a neck on 12 October as a well-backed race favourite.

“He’s (Tomodachi Kokoroe) a horse that has found a remarkable vein of form at the age of seven, which is an incredible training performance to get him to that point. Obviously, he comes into the race off the back of two wins and he’s going to be carrying a light weight here. So, he’s stepping up into uncharted waters being a Group 2 race, but you’ve got to respect him given his recent form,” Bentley said.

“115 (pounds) is no weight and he’s a horse that’s in such good form. We know that 1200 metres is his absolute perfect trip, so you’re going in with some hope at least.”

Beauty Waves, Lucky With You, Fast Network, Packing Hermod, Raging Blizzard, Invincible Sage, Wunderbar, Divano, Magic Control, Bottomuptogether, Mugen and Invincible Shield also hold entries in this weekend’s hotly contested dash at Sha Tin, mixing fresh talent with proven Group 1 stars, which serves as a key lead-up to 14 December’s HK$130 million LONGINES Hong Kong International Races. 

Rated 100, Tomodachi Kokoroe is a six-time winner across his 33-start racing career in Hong Kong. An earner of HK$13.05 million, the bay gelding arrived in the city having won six times in Australia, where he was previously named Bank Bank Bank for trainer Ricky Ludwig and raced primarily in Queensland.

Bentley, a dual Group 3-winning rider in Hong Kong, has won five races this season, headlined by four at Class 2 level aboard Tomodachi Kokoroe (twice), Lo Rider (once) and Markwin (once).

“It’s great. I’ve won some nice quality races and I’m happy with how the first six weeks has gone. I just hope to capitalise and keep the ball rolling. I’d love to ride some more winners and keep flowing,” Bentley said.

Raised in West Sussex, Great Britain, Bentley reunites with familiar ally Whizz Kid (126lb) tonight (Wednesday, 22 October) in the HK$2.84 million Class 2 The LONGINES Cup Handicap (1000m) at Happy Valley from gate two for legendary jockey-turned-trainer Tony Cruz.

“I won at the back end of last season with him at the Valley. The course and distance are a tick in the box and it’d be nice to see him run a big race. From that first run (ninth on 4 October), he certainly needs to step up and perhaps just blowing a few cobwebs away in that first race will do him a bit of good,” Bentley said.

Bentley won the 2024 HK$4.2 million G3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy Handicap (1000m) aboard Whizz Kid at Sha Tin prior to last season’s score in Class 3 at Happy Valley. Whizz Kid faces Aurora Lady (130lb), Red Elegance (130lb), Superb Capitalist (129lb), Colourful King (128lb), Stellar Express (126lb), Harmony N Blessed (124lb) and Youthful Spirits (120lb) tonight.

Bentley takes four rides in total this evening with Winning Heart, Majestic Delight and Crystal Powerful his other three.

Tonight’s (Wednesday, 22 October) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley commences at 6.40pm with the Class 4 Speedy Handicap (1000m).