Trainer John Size has lauded the consistency of Group One-winning sprinter Hot King Prawn after the striking grey was retired on Wednesday.

Connections decided to call time on Hot King Prawn’s career after the seven-year-old’s last-place finish in Sunday’s Group Three Sha Tin Vase (1,200m).

“The horse had a lovely career, he’s in perfect condition and he gets to retire on his terms,” Size said.

“He was always a very consistent horse. He’s done well, he’s been a great horse for the stable and we’re happy to see him go to a happy retirement.”

Hot King Prawn signs off with over HK$37 million in prize money to his name from 31 starts, the first of which saw him salute at $1.45 in Griffin company in May 2017.

His only other start in Griffin grade was a procession – a five-and-three-quarter-length victory at $1.05 that saw him handed an initial rating of 68.

From there the son of Denman rocketed through the grades, winning his first five starts to reach a rating of 98 before his first hiccup – a second under top weight in Class Two at start six.

Another four straight victories followed, with Hot King Prawn sweeping the lead-ups to the 2018 Hong Kong Sprint – a Group Three and two Group Twos – before finishing ninth on Group One debut at start 11.

The gelding was then stopped in his tracks by a bout of colic in February 2019, with Size as patient as ever with his star speedster following surgery.

“He had a major interruption with colic surgery, so I left him off the track for about 10 months. He won a Group One race after that, which is quite unusual,” the 11-time champion trainer said.

Hot King Prawn embarked on a remarkably consistent run upon his return, finishing runner-up in the 2019 Hong Kong Sprint in only his second run back to go with a further two Group One placings, three other Group placings and a Class One win in the 2019-20 season.

Ting chases second Group win of his career with My Sugar at Sha Tin

The sprinter won twice from five starts in the 2020-21 season – including his breakthrough Group One success in the Centenary Sprint Cup – before producing a third placing in this year’s Centenary Sprint Cup, his best result from seven starts in his final campaign.

Panfield staying home

Trainer Tony Millard has confirmed Panfield did not do enough in Sunday’s Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) to punch his ticket to Japan for next month’s Group One Takarazuka Kinen (2,200m).

Panfield finished fifth in the final Group One of the season, six and three-quarter lengths behind the victorious Russian Emperor, and was again found to be a roarer.

“We were always going to wait until after the race to see what type of form he was in, it’s just common sense – you couldn’t go there on that run,” Millard said.

“It would have been nice but he would have had to be in top form because they’re the best stayers in the world.”

Teetan cops double whammy

Karis Teetan will miss four of the final 14 meetings of the season and is out of pocket HK$180,000 after being hit with his second suspension in the space of four days at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.

After receiving a two-meeting ban and a HK$90,000 fine for careless riding aboard Sight Success in Sunday’s Group Three Sha Tin Vase (1,200m), Teetan’s pain doubled at the midweek meeting when he received the same penalty for careless riding aboard Jade Phoenix in the fourth event.

Teetan will miss the meetings on June 8 and 12 and July 6 and 10, limiting his opportunities to build on his 64 winners so far this season.