In Australia, Christmas is celebrated in the summer and is generally marked by searing temperatures and seafood platters. And while Australian trainer John Size was rugged up at Sha Tin on Friday morning, looking more ready for a white Christmas, he will be looking to serve up some seafood of his own on Saturday when he sends out unbeaten galloper Hot King Prawn in the Class 2 Chek Keng Handicap (1000m).

It is rare for the nine-time champion trainer, famous for his patience, to send out a three-year-old in Class 2, particularly this early in the season. However, Size believed Hot King Prawn had earned his shot at the grade after an effortless win over the straight 1000m last time out.

“Class 2 is pretty strong, they can all run and there’s no place to hide,” Size said, “but the race is on and the time suits him, so he can try this one and then he can have a break after that. I think you could expect him to run well and go close to winning the race.

“He seems to be improving every time he goes to the races, which he has to do to keep winning. He’s making those steps pretty well. He’s progressing a little too quickly but that’s the system and I hope he’s up to it.”

The pre-Christmas card kicks off with the Class 4 Wong Shek Handicap (2000m) at 1pm and concludes with the Class 3 Pak Tam Au Handicap (1400m) at 5.45pm.




Hot King Prawn, picture Hong Kong Jockey Club