Seasons Bloom - HKJC
"It's a relief!" Shum said after Seasons Bloom had sprinted clear of the best milers in town in a brisk 1m 34.74s.
"He loves to race fresh, this horse. He was a little bit disappointing on international day, even though he ran a good race – Joao had to use him a lot that day and it made it hard for the horse. He came back with blood in his throat, so we gave him some time off and freshened him up.
"We trialled him and there was no problem; he won first-up this season over 1200 metres, so all of that gave us confidence he could win today."
As for future plans, Shum is considering multiple options, including a step up to 2000 metres, a distance the son of Captain Sonador attempted last term when fourth in the BMW Hong Kong Derby.
"We'll talk to the owner and Joao about whether we to the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) or just go to the Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m); I'll see in a few days how the horse has pulled up. We'll see – we could try the 2000 metres," Shum added.
Seasons Bloom has won seven of 16 starts and was bred in Queensland by Basil Nolan at Raheen Stud.
He fetched $26,000 for Raheen Stud at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale where he was purchased by Ampulla Lodge and went on to win a race in Victoria at his second start before he was sold to Hong Kong.
The third stakes-winner for Raheen Stud's ill-fated Captain Sonador, Seasons Bloom is the best of two winners from Pyramisa's Lass, an unraced half-sister by Not a Single Doubt to Group II winner Sharks Bay from the family of Group I winner Mirjulisa Lass.
Pyramisa's Lass was covered by Raheen Stud's Golden Archer last spring.
