Excitement machine Packing Hermod extends unbeaten streak with strong return (SCMP)
Exciting four-year-old Packing Hermod continued his march towards the Classic Mile with a strong return when extending his unbeaten streak to three at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Sent off the $1.55 favourite in the Class Three Shared Prosperity Handicap (1,200m), the Francis Lui Kin-wai-trained gelding overcame barrier 12 under champion jockey Zac Purton to maintain his unblemished record.
Purton sent Packing Hermod forward to settle outside of pacesetter I Give before making his move to pounce on the lead at the 250m.
The son of Rubick drew clear and was never threatened late, winning by a length and a quarter from Super Infinity. Mark Newnham filled both placings when Armour War Eagle ran on strongly for third.
A sensational winner of his first two starts late last season, Packing Hermod pleased reigning champion trainer Lui with his return off the back of two impressive trials.
“He’s a good horse – very honest. Three starts for three wins, I can’t complain,” Lui said.
“We had to use him a little bit more at the start today with the wide draw.”
Packing Hermod joined a host of four-year-olds to state their cases for January’s Classic Mile, which is the first leg of the Classic Series.
“I think he’ll get over longer distances,” Lui said.
“We will think about going up in distance next time, but it all depends how many points he gets and the programme.
“It’s hard to tell if he’ll get more than a mile, but the target is the Classic Mile.”
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