Hong Kong racing continues on Sunday (July 16) for an 11-race fixture at Sha Tin for the final meeting of the 2022-23 season.
Impressive debut winner, PACKING BOLE, will be expected to keep his winning record intact when he returns to Sha Tin for the Class 3 Handicap over 1200m.
PACKING BOLE followed up a series of promising barrier trials with a convincing win in his first start at this track and distance 28 days ago. Just as he had shown in his trials, the three-year-old son of Deep Field demonstrated tremendous gate speed to take control from the front quickly. From that point onward, it was a one-act affair.
Never let off the bridle in the home straight, under the guidance of champion jockey Zac Purton, PACKING BOLE cruised easily to the finish line, comfortably scoring by 0.75 lengths. The race has proven to be a strong form one, as the second and third-place finishers, Golden Samurai and California Vanes, have both won since then. PACKING BOLE has continued to impress at the trials between races and gives the impression that he is a horse who can quickly rise in the ratings.
Elsewhere, in-form three-year-old, SIMPLE HEDGE, will be chasing back-to-back victories in the Class 3 Handicap over 1400m.
SIMPLE HEDGE, trained by champion trainer John Size, has enjoyed a strong first season of racing, winning two of his five starts and placing two more times. The gelding, sired by Sebring, pulled away for a significant win in his last start at this track and distance 13 days ago, cruising 2.75 lengths clear of his nearest rival.
SIMPLE HEDGE is stepping up to Class 3 for the first time after his last-start win but appears more than capable of winning again, considering his consistency, untapped potential, and the lack of depth in the competition.
