As the 2024/25 Hong Kong racing season heads into its final stretch, John Size is pulling out all the stops in pursuit of a record-extending 13th trainers’ championship title. With just eight race meetings left, the legendary trainer has assembled a formidable 11-runner team for Sunday’s (22 June) high-stakes Group 3 double-header at Sha Tin Racecourse.
Size currently holds a commanding lead in the standings with 63 wins, ahead of David Hayes (54), Ricky Yiu and Caspar Fownes (49 each), and Francis Lui (46). Determined to maintain his position at the top, Size will rely on some of his most consistent performers in both the Premier Cup Handicap (1400m) and the Premier Plate Handicap (1800m), each offering a HK$4.2 million purse.
In the Premier Cup, all eyes will be on Beauty Eternal, a past winner of this race and a regular ally of top jockey Zac Purton. Drawn in gate four, the five-year-old gelding is aiming to build on his recent top-three finish as he faces a competitive field that includes Victor The Winner, Invincible Sage, Happy Together, and others.
Meanwhile, in the Premier Plate, Size has two serious contenders: Ensued and Bundle Award. Ensued, who ran sixth in the G1 Champions & Chater Cup over 2400m, is known for his reliability and returns to the shorter trip seeking a second Group 3 success. Bundle Award, on the other hand, has demonstrated exceptional adaptability, securing wins over varying distances in his debut Hong Kong season and placing fifth last time out.
Size believes both runners are in good shape and ready to deliver solid performances. With Bundle Award’s rating at 95, the trainer is optimistic about further progress, especially next season.
Joining the elite squad are Grand Nova, Escape Route, Young Legacy, Arden, Szeryng, Bundle Of Charm, Magnificent Nine, and Super Express—each expected to contribute vital points in Size’s championship campaign.
Frankie Lor also brings strong contenders to the Sha Tin meet. Happy Together returns to 1400m in the Premier Cup, a distance he hasn’t attempted since 2022. Lor is hopeful that the faster tempo will suit his gelding better this time around. In the Premier Plate, Sword Point returns to the turf after a stint in Dubai and recent dirt trials.
Lor’s talented three-year-old South Star will also be in action in the Class 3 Amethyst Handicap (1400m), with Andrea Atzeni taking the reins. South Star has been steadily improving and continues to impress, representing his sire Wrote, who is making a strong impact in Hong Kong breeding circles.
In the Class 4 Diamond Handicap (1200m), Voyage Boss faces a tough test from a wide draw but brings winning form into the race. The Class 4 Ruby Handicap (1000m) opens Sunday’s 11-race programme, which is set to begin at 4 PM local time.
With championship aspirations heating up and elite-level talent on display, Sunday’s Sha Tin fixture promises to be a pivotal chapter in the closing stages of the Hong Kong racing season.
