Second Time Unlucky
Trade Fair’s Hong Kong star Packing Whiz has just failed in an attempt to win the $HK3.5 million Group 2 The Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) at Sha Tin for the second year in succession.
Packing Whiz won the big race last year by 1 1/2-lengths from Dan Excel and Pure Champion when ridden by Australian jockey Brett Prebble.
He then finished 1 1/2-lengths third to Dan Excel and Helene Spirit in the Group 1 Champions Mile and 1 1/4-lengths third to Glorious Days and Gold Fun in the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile.
Packing Whiz came up 1 3/4-lengths short when second to Able Friend in Sunday’s renewal of the The Chairman’s Trophy ridden by Ireland’s Neil Callan.
Winning trainer John Moore, a son of legendary Australian jockey George Moore, rates Able Friend ‘world class’ and may set him for the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in England. But connections of Packing Whiz are hopeful of turning the tables when they clash again in the Champions Mile on May 4.
Packing Whiz, bred in Ireland from the Efisio mare, Swizzle, won the Listed Mauro Sbarigia (7 1/2-furlongs) and Group 3 Premio Parioli (one mile) in Italy being being sent to Hong Kong where his other big wins have been in the Group 3 Ladies’ Purse (nine furlongs) and Beijing Handicap (one mile).
