Helios Express will race over a mile for the first time in more than two years when he contests Monday’s (19 October) HK$5.35 million G2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) alongside stablemate Sky Jewellery for trainer John Size.

The seven-year-old Toronado gelding, owned by Andy Yung, has placed in six Group 1 races behind Ka Ying Rising at either 1200m or 1400m across the past two seasons. With career earnings of HK$50.58 million, Helios Express won the opening legs of the 2023/24 Four-Year-Old Classic Series – Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) and Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) – before being reverted to sprint distances as a five-year-old.

Andrea Atzeni, who rode the gelding first-up into eighth behind Invincible Ibis in the G3 Celebration Cup Handicap (1400m) on 27 September at Sha Tin, said: “I thought his comeback run was fine, and he’s come on plenty for it. He’s not an easy horse to judge as he doesn’t show you a lot at home, but I thought his latest trial was better than usual.

“He’s a pretty relaxed horse and with the way he ran the other day, he would give himself every chance to stay the trip. It’s a very competitive field and there’s a few in there with a light weight, but he can handle the big weight, and it’ll be interesting to see him carry the lower weight (assigned 125lb at entries) in this race.”

Group 1 winners Voyage Bubble and My Wish top the entries, which include 2026 Hong Kong Derby (2000m) winner Invincible Ibis, Beauty Joy, Patch Of Theta, Light Years Charm, Stormy Grove, Soleil Fighter, Sagacious Life and Winning Wing.

Helios Express was fourth in a recent barrier trial behind My Wish, who charged from the rear to finish first in 1m 10.50s over 1200m on the Sha Tin dirt. Alexis Badel has been booked to ride Sky Jewellery, who is expected to carry a race-minimum 115lb this Monday after his impressive first-up Class 2 win over rising star Hot Delight.

A double last Sunday (11 October) pushed Atzeni to seven wins for the season, and the Italian links with Californiatotality (120lb) in Wednesday night’s (14 October) HK$3.12 million Class 2 HKEX Tech 100 Cup Handicap (1800m) against Pierre Ng’s rampaging Le Zonda (123lb), who is aiming to win a fourth consecutive race at Happy Valley.

“I thought his (Californiatotality) first run back was good and hopefully with a lightish weight he can be competitive,” Atzeni said.

Vincent Ho, who stays aboard Le Zonda, said: “Pierre is going very well, and his horses are in form. I’m looking forward to riding him again. He always has a good turn of foot.

“He’s still young and he’s learning. Every time he learns a bit, and mentally, he has matured more. Hopefully, he will keep improving.”

Le Zonda secures a hat-trick at Happy Valley.

Le Zonda secures a hat-trick at Happy Valley.

Speed Dragon (131lb), Massive Sovereign (129lb), Helene Feeling (127lb), Talents Ambition (125lb), Silvery Breeze (124lb), Gentlemen Legacy (123lb) and Stunning Peach (122lb) also contest the Valley’s feature race.

Atzeni has seven mounts tomorrow, including first-up third Wukong Jewellery (123lb) in the Class 3 Harbour View Handicap (1200m) for Size.

“It was a brilliant run. He was so laid-back going to the gates, and he was really quiet in them. We just wanted to slot him in behind and switch him off, but he actually pinged the lids, so he was a little bit fresh and keen.

“That race would have taken a little bit of freshness out of him, and we have a nice gate (two) again,” Atzeni said.

Karis Teetan is aiming to steer Prestige Ricky (119lb) to a maiden success in Hong Kong for trainer Ricky Yiu in the Class 4 Elgin Handicap (1650m) from gate one.

“I thought his run last time was okay. We sort of ended up a bit further back than I wanted in a slow run race. He still made up a bit of ground, but the quick back-up from a good draw and no weight on his back, it should make a big difference,” Teetan said.

Wednesday’s (14 October) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley begins at 6.35pm with the Class 5 D’Aguilar Handicap (1650m).