From fast starter to late season slide: Danny Shum set to buck the trend

Danny Shum has built a reputation for jumping quickly out of the gates each season and forcing the usual powerhouses to look over their shoulder. The frustration is what comes after: he’s never been able to turn that bright start into a title.

Tonight’s card is the 43rd meeting of the season, and the numbers are earily similar to last year. At the same stage 12 months ago, Shum was flying on top of the standings with 29 wins at a 12.1% strike rate. From there, the remaining 46 meetings brought only 11 more wins at an anemic 4% as his momentum evaporated. 

Now Shum heads into meeting 43 again with strikingly similar statistics: 30 wins at 12%. The hope for the vetran trainer is that the next five months don’t follow the same script.

There’s reason to think they won’t. This time last year Shum was shuttling between Sha Tin and Saudi Arabia as his all-conquering champion Romantic Warrior spent a long campaign in the Middle East. This season the champion is staying put in his Sha Tin barn and looks unstoppable as he builds toward a Triple Crown tilt.

Having the stable’s flagbearer at home can only be a positive and Shum also arrives at the Valley tonight with a strong team of seven runners and a couple of key chances.

Shum’s leading chance is in-form Happy Valley specialist Helene Feeling, who lines up in the Class 2 (105–80) Shan Kwong Handicap over his pet distance of 1800m after a strong third over the course and distance in the G3 January Cup last start. Shum also saddles Moments In Time in the same race – the first time the six-year-old has contested a non-Group race since he won a Class 1 at the Valley 343 days ago.

Same stage, same numbers – now Shum just needs a different finish.