Hugh Bowman has revealed Helios Express’ untapped potential was the driving force behind his decision to jump off Group One winner Invincible Sage for Sunday’s Group Two BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1,200m).

The Australian ace opted to ride Helios Express, a quality galloper he is familiar with having booted him home in last season’s Classic Mile and Classic Cup (1,800m), over April’s Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) victor Invincible Sage.

Helios Express could not have been more impressive on his first start since finishing down the track in March’s Hong Kong Derby (2,000m), storming home in an astonishing final 200m of 21.72 seconds to finish second to Ka Ying Rising in the Group Two Premier Bowl (1,200m) last month.

Bowman was on board Invincible Sage in that race, with the David Hall-trained gelding struggling into 10th on a good-to-firm Sha Tin track.

“Invincible Sage is a Group One winner already, Helios Express isn’t, but I just think Helios has the potential to be a very, very good horse,” Bowman said.

“He can really gallop, that’s why I’m riding him. Obviously I rode Sage [in the Premier Bowl], but Helios was outstanding.

“He had a big weight advantage – he only had 115 pounds, so he meets the favourite [Ka Ying Rising] far worse off and he even meets Invincible Sage far worse off as well.

“Invincible Sage with this typhoon is going to get conditions that he’s been crying out for. I feel like he’s been jarring up a bit on the firm tracks, but I will say since his last run, he’s really come on.”

Luke Ferraris has picked up the ride on Invincible Sage.

With just 123 pounds in the Jockey Club Sprint, Helios Express will be Bowman’s lightest ride of the season.

“I rode around that weight a couple times last season,” Bowman said.

“It’s achievable, but it’s not easy. I’m going to be very disciplined over the next few days. I’m fit and well, I’ve got a good foundation so I’ve just got to go two pounds lighter than I’ve been going.”

John Size is focusing on short-course sprints with Helios Express for now, despite his impressive form over a mile as a four-year-old.

“I think as far as he wants is 1,600m, but he might be a better sprinter. We’re still learning,” Bowman said.

Helios Express jumps from barrier six, with boom sprinter Ka Ying Rising beginning from 10 in the field of 12. The David Hayes-trained Ka Ying Rising also carries 123 pounds.

Bowman and Size team up again in Sunday’s Group Two BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile with Red Lion, who ran eighth behind emerging star Galaxy Patch in the Group Two Sha Tin Trophy (1,600m) first up.

“He had a slight setback last week, he just had a slight spike in temperature,” Bowman said.

“He’s obviously OK, but it prevented him from trialling. He really needed the run first up and he’ll probably need it again.”

Encountered is Bowman’s other feature ride on Sunday, with the Hall-trained veteran set for the BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2,000m).

While he faces a seemingly impossible task against Romantic Warrior, Encountered showed a glimpse of his best when running on well for eighth behind Ensued in the Group Three Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (1,800m) last start.

Sky Vino, Beauty Alliance, Amazing Run, Simple Hedge and Gracious Express are Bowman’s other rides on Sunday.

“I’ve got the nicest book of rides I’ve had for a while, but still the races are strong. Hopefully we can hit the target,” he said.

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