Rebel's Romance for G1 Success

Luke Middlebrook

Hong Kong racing continues on Sunday for a 10-race fixture highlighted by the running of the Group 1 Champions & Chater Cup staged over 2400m.

Globetrotter REBEL'S ROMANCE will add some international flair to the final Group One race of the season in Hong Kong as he takes his place in Sunday's G1 Champions & Chater Cup over 2400m.

Hong Kong will be the eighth country visited by the Charlie Appleby-trained, Godolphin-owned REBEL'S ROMANCE, after racing in Ireland, the UK, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Germany, the USA, and Qatar. The six-year-old, who won five successive races in 2022, including a Group 1 hat-trick culminating in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, went off the boil in 2023. However, Appleby went back to basics, sending his charge for a confidence-boosting win on the Kempton all-weather track in the UK.

Subsequently, REBEL'S ROMANCE jetted off to Doha, Qatar, where he won the $2.5 million HH The Amir Trophy before claiming the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic on World Cup night at Meydan in his most recent start. Finishing fifth to REBEL'S ROMANCE in the HH The Amir Trophy was Hong Kong's champion stayer RUSSIAN EMPEROR, who will be chasing a hat-trick of wins in the Champions & Chater Cup.

On a strong undercard, exciting three-year-old CALL ME GLORIOUS can bounce back to his winning ways when he contests the Class 3 race over 1200m.

CALL ME GLORIOUS burst onto the scene in late February with an above-average debut win in Class 4 at this track and distance. He then rose to Class 3, where he was far from disgraced, finishing second to the up-and-coming sprinting star KA YING RISING.

Given the strength of that form, CALL ME GLORIOUS was sent out at a short price of $1.4 in his last race. However, he lost ground at the start and raced wide throughout. Ultimately, he felt the pinch and faded to fourth, beaten by 1.25 lengths. Freshened up and having trialled well between runs, he appears ready for a strong comeback this week.

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: La Forza more than capable of winning again in this race after breaking through impressively second-up last time. Looks to have plenty of upside and should appreciate the 1200m. Thunder Blink created a huge impression at local debut and looks talented. He should be fighting out the finish second-up. Santorini has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. From the inside draw, he will map smoothly, which will enhance his chances. Patch Of Cosmo has trialled well for debut and should be rated a chance, but the wide draw is the concern. World Hero nice 2YO with a good chance here on debut.

Race 2: Smart Beauty form is good and must be rated a solid chance after a few luckless run. Speedstar showed no interest last start, forget the run. He comes into a low draw for once, which should present an opportunity to map much handier. Looking Cool making Class 5 debut and watch the betting. Blinkers go on and he should perform well. Joyful Friendship second start in this grade after dropping in class and could improve. Sunny Baby has ability and is always dangerous in this grade.

Race 3: Open race. Holy Lake winner of last two starts and is a big chance to post the winning hat-trick for in-form trainer, Francis Lui. Illuminous form is good and is getting close to another victory. Purton jumps in the saddle and that will help his chances. Eighteen Carat should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way. The speed map looks to suit his chances. Awesome Fluke turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly. Racing well after a stable change. Bourbonaire recent runs have been encouraging and can run well.

Race 4: Bottomuptogether created a huge impression on debut and looks talented. He should be remaining unbeaten here and winning his way into Class 3. Prosecco generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home. Circuit Victory has trialled well for debut and should be rated a chance but keep an eye on the betting odds. My Wish having first start and watch the betting odds. Well prepared and shown some ability at the trials. Red Elegance changed stables recently and has improved and is knocking on the door for another win.

Race 5: Divano nice 3YO with a good chance here after showing ability in two starts and coming out of a strong form race. Trialled well in between runs and should get every chance from the draw. Master Mastermind bled last start and has been rested. He can make his presence felt first-up after showing ability prior to his bleeding attack. Embraces debut run was good and has trialled well since. Parterre has a great record in this class and must be respected. Start to follow again. Yuen Long Elite has trialled well for debut and should be rated a chance.

Race 6: Chateauneuf nice effort last start when storming home, appears ready to win again taking a rise in distance. Storming Dragon every chance last start but still ran a good race. With luck from the wide draw, he can run a race. Joyful Life faded late last start, chance to improve under the right race shape. Light weight chance with Teetan in the plate. Forerunner caught the eye last start when running home well and can surprise at odds in a race like this. Beauty Alliance having second start and can improve with experience.

Race 7: Rebel’s Romance top class runner who has won in multiple countries and is rated a big winning chance in a race like this. Russian Emperor will be suited by the rise in distance, as well as returning to set weights, and can run well. Gets conditions to suit and he can show his best here. Massive Sovereign had genuine excuses last start, with the rider stating he didn’t handle the rain-affected track and can improve in this race. Five G Patch form is good and must be rated a solid chance. He should be closing off hard and fast. Moments In Time a fast beginner who can run well if he finds an easy lead.

Race 8: Daring Pursuit has been no luck recently and give another chance here as he steps away from an inside draw which should provide a good run in transit from where he can show his best. Circuit Fiery holding form with recent good trial and looks well. Third start here and is improving all the time with racing. Californiatotality winner of last two starts and is a big chance here with any luck from out wide. Mister Dapper looks a solid good chance based on last start and his low draw should ensure the right trip. Joyful Prosperity looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form.

Race 9: Call Me Glorious holding form with recent good trial and looks well. He can bounce back for a win here in a moderate Class 3 race after racing wide and without cover last start. Little Brose will find this easier than last start and can run well second-up in Hong Kong after trialling well in between runs. Prestige Always has been very well prepared with several trials, watch the betting. Prawns Eleven turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly. Pulsar Strider bled last start and has been rested and has trialled well ahead of his return.

Race 10: Top Gun created a huge impression at local debut when winning smartly and clearly looks talented. He can continue his winning ways here. Blue Marlin nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance with any luck from out wide. Tourbillon Prince well supported last start and won accordingly by leading all the way. He will vie to do the same here. Superb Kid racing consistently of late and expect another big run. Galaxy Witness good performance when storming home for third place last start, which is the norm for him.