News

“Exceptional” Helios Express Dominant In Classic Mile

4th Feb 2024

Graduates of the Inglis Digital Online Auction platform are enjoying an ever increasing amount of success in Hong Kong and tonight at Sha Tin the platform was responsible for emphatic Hong Kong Classic Mile winner Helios Express (Toronado).

The John Size trained 4YO arrived in Hong Kong on the back of one start in Australia, an impressive maiden win over 1106m at Benalla in November 2022.

The handsome bay quickly built on the promise of that victory, winning 3 of his 5 starts under the tutelage of Size, which saw him sent off a short-priced favourite for the Classic Mile, the first leg of the prestigious Hong Kong 4YO Series, comprising the Classic Mile, Classic Cup and Derby.

His supporters would have had little cause for concern throughout, as Helios Express stalked the speed before bullocking into the clear at the top of the straight and racing clear to win the 1600m contest by an ever-widening 2.75 length margin.

Jockey Hugh Bowman was mightily impressed by the effort of his mount, on what was the first occasion he has ridden him under race conditions.

“The critical side of me says I’d like to see him settle a bit better in the run, but it was a very sedate tempo which encouraged him to want to travel like he did, but that’s the sign of an exceptional horse and when I gave him room and asked for an extended effort, that’s exactly what we all saw,” said Bowman post-race.

“I’m very excited to be riding such a magnificent individual.”

Trainer Size was no less enthusiastic in his post-race commentary.

“Of this generation of horses, at the moment, he seems to be the quality horse amongst the ones that he is competing against and it was a very convincing win,” said Size.

“He’s a pleasure to train. He’s made the transition to Hong Kong, obviously, very well and he’s just a lovely horse to have around the place.

“His next run will be in the 1800m (Classic Cup).”

The Chris Wells-bred Helios Express was purchased by Jamie Edwards’ Emsley Lodge for $10,000 as a yearling through the Inglis Digital August (Early) Online Sale in 2020.

It was Edwards who prepared the horse for his only start, and win, in Australia when the horse was named Tex Mex.

Inglis graduates dominated the 4YO Series in Hong Kong in 2023, with Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) winning the Classic Mile and the Derby, while Super Sunny Sing (Nicconi) won the Classic Cup.

The win of Helios Express continues an extraordinary run of success being enjoyed by Inglis graduates in Hong Kong since the turn of the year in particular, following the G1 wins of Voyage Bubble and Victor The Winner (Toronado) in the Stewards Cup and Centenary Sprint Cup respectively.

And in Western Australia on Sunday, 3YO filly Petula (Nicconi) claimed a first black-type win when taking out the Listed WA Breeders’ Classic over 1208m at Bunbury.

A $30,000 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale purchase by her trainer Simon Miller, the J & M Equine bred Petula was winning her fourth race from 8 starts with her prizemoney earnings now exceeding $165,000.

The final countdown of bidding for the Inglis Digital February (Early) Online Sale begins from 10am Wednesday.

To view the catalogue, organise credit or participate in the auction CLICK HERE.