Danny Shum has long been known as one of Hong Kong racing’s fastest starters. Over the past seven seasons, last term was the only occasion on which his stable failed to saddle a winner on opening day, although he quickly opened his account when Wrote A New Page won at the first Happy Valley meeting. The Shum stable has also recorded six wins in September in each of the past three seasons, highlighting its consistent strength during the early stages of the campaign. A similarly aggressive start can be expected next season.
Shum was particularly successful on the dirt last term, saddling 10 winners on Sha Tin’s all-weather track. Blazing Wind and the now-retired Foremost Teddy both won three races during the season. Blazing Wind also produced one of the campaign’s most impressive performances when scoring by five and three-quarter lengths in May, the widest winning margin recorded in Hong Kong last season.
Blazing Wind and Gorgeous Win have been entered for the Korea Sprint on 6 September, while Romantic Thor has been nominated for the Korea Cup. Shum has extensive experience managing international campaigns, having previously taken Romantic Warrior to the Middle East, Japan and Australia. A possible trip to Korea should therefore have little impact on the stable’s preparations or its customary early-season push.
Packing King and Packing Fighter, who both joined Shum from Pierre Ng’s stable, are also worth following. Packing King concentrated mainly on 1,200-metre races on the Sha Tin turf after changing stables, winning two consecutive Class 4 contests before finishing third in both of his first two Class 3 starts. He also led throughout when winning a dirt barrier trial under Zac Purton. As Darci Brahma’s progeny have previously performed well for Shum on the all-weather track, a switch to dirt could be considered next season.
Packing Fighter won his only overseas start over 1,891 metres and showed immediate improvement after joining Shum in June. He finished first and second in two subsequent races over 1,600 metres, controlling the pace throughout when scoring by almost two lengths. He will turn five next season and appears to have enough improvement left to continue rising through the ratings, with Class 2 a realistic target.
Leading Agility is another promising recruit. After transferring from Cody Mo’s stable, he found ideal conditions over 1,200 metres at Happy Valley, recording two wins and a placing from his final three starts. Both victories were achieved with something in hand, suggesting he can remain competitive in Class 3 and potentially develop into another Happy Valley specialist for the stable.