It has been a long time between drinks for Wellington, but Hugh Bowman believes the high-pressure environment of Sunday’s Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m) can allow the four-time Group One winner to serve it up to Hong Kong’s champion speedster Lucky Sweynesse.

A 12-time victor from 26 starts, Wellington has been a mainstay at the pointy end of the Hong Kong sprinting ranks for the past four seasons but last visited the winner’s enclosure following his Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m) triumph in December 2022.

While Wellington has been no match for Lucky Sweynesse in their previous six encounters, Bowman – who trialled the seven-year-old over Sha Tin’s 1,200m all-weather course on January 16 – hopes the 13-strong field can aid his charge.

“It’s going to be more of a testing race than some of the sprints in recent times because it’s a full field,” Bowman said. “I think it will be a high-pressure event and that will suit my horse.

“The horse is in good form and he needs no introduction. He’s already a multiple Group One winner. He’s worked very well, but he found the corner a bit sharp, so I’m pleased I got the opportunity to sit on his back in the lead-up to this weekend.”

Sunday’s Centenary Sprint Cup field is set to be the largest since Eagle Regiment defeated 13 rivals in 2014’s renewal of the contest – then a local Group One over 1,000m.

Bowman is confident Wellington retains the ability to deliver at the top level, with the Jamie Richards-trained gelding looking to build on his last-start third behind Lucky Sweynesse and Lucky With You in December’s Hong Kong Sprint.

“We’re under no illusion as to where we sit in the pecking order,” Bowman said. “We can’t expect to see Wellington come out and give a career-best performance, but I think he’s going well enough to run as well, if not better, than he did at the international meeting. If he can do that, he’ll certainly make his presence felt.”

On Friday, Bowman gave Helios Express his final hit out before next Sunday’s Classic Mile in a 1,200m dirt heat at Sha Tin. After settling at the rear of the field, the four-year-old loomed up in the straight and cruised into third under a tight hold.

“I was very pleased with him this morning,” Bowman said. “I thought it was an improved trial from the one he had in the lead-up to his recent victory, so I take confidence from that.

“He was moving particularly well. It was nice work for him, he had a good blow after it, but it wasn’t too strenuous. I think we can expect an improved performance on his last-start win, which will probably be required given the standard of the Classic Mile.”

The 102-rated galloper lit up the turf with an impressive victory in Class Two company over 1,600m on January 7 and is certainly the one to beat in the first leg of the four-year-old series.

“He’s the highest-rated horse in the race, so it’s quite likely that he’ll start favourite, but there is some very worthy opposition there. We are excited about where he’s at, and I’m sure he’ll be hard to beat,” said Bowman.

One of Helios Express’ likely Classic Mile opponents is the David Hayes-trained Star Mac. Winless from his three outings in Hong Kong, the 62-rated Star Mac will contest the Class Three Yan Tin Handicap (1,600m) this weekend with Karis Teetan in the saddle.

While Hayes will be hoping the galloper can finish his race off strongly on Sunday, the 61-year-old would have been breathing a sigh of relief just to see Global Harmony leave the stalls in a 1,200m trial on Friday morning.

After refusing to race at last Sunday’s Sha Tin meeting, the five-year-old speedster took to the all-weather track under Zac Purton and came home without any issues.