Danny Shum Chap-shing will head to Melbourne in winning form after the victory of smart three-year-old Champion Method at Sha Tin on Sunday.

About to embark on one of the biggest weeks of his training career, which will see him send Romantic Warrior around favourite in the Group One Cox Plate (2,040m) at Moonee Valley this Saturday, Shum was all smiles after Champion Method remained undefeated in the Class Four Fencing Handicap (1,200m).

Victorious over 1,000m on debut on September 10, Champion Method worked across to sit outside leader Island Bright from barrier 10 before digging deep late under Andrea Atzeni to hold off Rubylot and Champion Instinct.

“He’s only a three-year-old, but, overcame a lot of challenges – he had 132 pounds, a bad draw and even as he went forward, he was three wide,” Shum said.

“He’s a nice horse with a big heart. He can continue to improve. I don’t need to rush him too much now. From three to turning four, if he can put on 40 to 50 pounds, I think he’ll be a much better horse.

“He’s OK – 1,123 pounds – but hopefully can get stronger. I’ve gelded him, so hopefully, he’ll put on more weight and gain strength.”

As for Romantic Warrior, he steps out at Moonee Valley on Monday morning, and Shum is looking forward to reuniting with his stable star this week.

“He’s good. He’ll have his final gallop tomorrow at Moonee Valley. James McDonald will ride him. Hopefully, he’ll improve after the run in the Turnbull Stakes. It’s lucky I put him in the lead-up race,” Shum said of the three-time Group One winner, who finished fourth in the Group One Turnbull Stakes (2,000m) at Flemington on October 7.

Hall-Bowman the Invincible combo

When trainer David Hall and jockey Hugh Bowman have combined in season 2023-24, it has paid to take notice.

The victory of Invincible Sage in the Class Three Hong Kong China’s Asian Games Medallists Cup (1,000m) was the Hall-Bowman combination’s fourth success from as many runners and fifth win from 12 attempts this campaign.

Backing all 12 Hall-Bowman runners at level stakes would have returned more than double the investment, and the spruik around Beauty Waves on Sunday ensured Invincible Sage’s supporters got a price of $4.05.

“He overcame a little bit of difficulty, there’s no doubt about that,” Hall said after Invincible Sage went back to second last from gate one before surging to victory.

“Last season, he was drawn close to the outside and found all sorts of trouble. Everybody could see he had the ability to get it done, but unfortunately, he couldn’t win one in his three runs.

“But we were certainly very confident he was going to make his way to Class Two. The barrier probably dented my confidence a little bit today, but Hughie got him into a rhythm, gave him a great ride, produced him at the right time, and there was plenty of horse there today. It was quite impressive, so I’m very happy.”

Invincible Sage’s victory completed a double for Bowman after his earlier win aboard Telecom Dragon, and the star Australian heads into his five-meeting suspension with a four-win lead over Zac Purton in the jockeys’ premiership.

“I’ve been in good form. I’m getting great opportunities. Unfortunately, I’ve got to spend a few meetings on the sidelines, but I’ll use that time with the family, then get myself in shape to try to continue the form I’m in,” Bowman said.

Hall also took out the Class Two Equestrian Handicap (1,400m) with Atullibigeal, landing a brace for the third consecutive meeting to move to seven wins and jump to sixth in the premiership.

Horizon Dore to HKIR?

Free entries for the Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) close on Monday, and it’s hoped French galloper Horizon Dore will target the December 10 showcase after finishing a gallant third in the Group One Champion Stakes (2,000m) at Ascot on Saturday.

A six-time winner from nine starts, Horizon Dore could take aim at the Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m), where he would likely lock horns with last year’s winner, Romantic Warrior.

The chances of Frankie Dettori appearing at HKIR remain strong despite his mount Kinross finishing second in the Group One Champions Sprint (1,200m).

Owned by Hong Kong-based Marc Chan, Kinross was nabbed in the closing stages by six-year-old Art Power. After the race, both sets of connections hinted at possible HKIR tilts.

“I don’t know about the Breeders’ Cup. We’ll talk about it. It’ll be [America or Hong Kong] or both,” Kinross’ trainer, Ralph Beckett, told At The Races.

Of the winner Art Power, his handler Tim Easterby said: “I don’t know. There’s racing in Hong Kong. We might take him over there. We shall see.”

In Australia on Saturday, Without A Fight narrowly denied West Wind Blows in the Group One Caulfield Cup (2,400m), and there were murmurs after the race that a HKIR trip could be on the cards for the runner-up.

Hong Kong’s athletes cash in

Hong Kong’s Asian Games medallists have pocketed HK$32.5 million through the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme, with a cheque presentation taking place before the first race of Sunday’s “Hong Kong China’s Asian Games Medallists Celebration Raceday” at Sha Tin.

“Looking forward, the club remains committed to working hand in hand with the government and society to help Hong Kong, China athletes thrive in the global sporting arena. It will also continue to foster a culture of sports participation for all, in alignment with the club’s purpose of acting continuously for the betterment of society,” said Jockey Club chairman Michael Lee Tze-hau.