Luke Middlebrook
Hong Kong racing continues on Sunday with a 10-race fixture at Sha Tin, highlighted by the running of the Group Hong Kong Gold Cup over 2000m.
Five-time Group 1 winner ROMANTIC WARRIOR headlines the entry for Sunday’s feature event. ROMANTIC WARRIOR is first-up after securing back-to-back victories in the G1 Hong Kong Cup on International Day at Sha Tin in early December. He aims to improve upon his performance from last year, where he narrowly lost to Golden Sixty in this race.
Prior to International Day, the champion middle-distance horse won Australia's premier weight-for-age race, the G1 Cox Plate over 2040m. Chasing his fifth Group 1 victory atop ROMANTIC WARRIOR is jockey James McDonald, while Zac Purton reunites with likely second-favourite VOYAGE BUBBLE.
Purton will bid for a fourth G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup trophy after tasting victory in the coveted event with Military Attack (2013), Time Warp (2018), and Exultant (2019). It will be the first time Purton is back in the saddle of VOYAGE BUBBLE after steering him to his first victory in 2022.
Elsewhere, promising four-year-old YOUNG CHAMPION is poised to break through second-up in Hong Kong when he contests the Class 3 race over 1400m on Sunday.
The John Size-trained Irish import turned in a strong first-up run over an unsuitable 1200m three weeks ago, finishing as runner-up while leaving the impression that he is in search of more ground and would derive plenty of improvement from the run.
A one-time winner over 1445m at Leopardstown, YOUNG CHAMPION should relish the rise in distance this week. He goes up against the horse who beat him on debut, trainer Frankie Lor’s up-and-coming four-year-old Illuminous, as well as the other in-form four-year-old Green N White trained by Ricky Yiu.
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Wide-open race to kick things off. Total Power can bounce back a winner anytime in this class and there appears to be good speed on to suit his pattern. Romantic Fantasy good effort last start leading all the way to win on his third career starts and he could have more to come. Darci Joy poorly judged ride last start, forget the run. He can be competitive here with McDonald in the saddle. Kimberley faded late last start, chance to improve under right race shape. Special Hedge last run was better than it reads, as he was used up on the lead, and do not dismiss.
Race 2: Just a field of six line up here, and no doubt the tempo will be at a crawl. Sweet Encounter racing consistently of late and expect another big run. From barrier 3, he can map ideally and prove the one to beat. Atullibigeal backing up quickly from a good last-start win and can run well again. Super Sunny Sing had genuine excuses last start when caught wide. Fantastic Treasure has dropped a lot in the ratings and can improve. Spirited Express generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home.
Race 3: Superb Move every chance last start but still ran a good race. From barrier 1 under Bowman, he is the one to beat. Charmander will win in this grade very soon after checking in a neck third after racing wide from barrier 11 last start. Comes into a better draw in gate 7 here. Little Fairy down in class here and can surprise. Recent Class 4 runs were encouraging, so respect here. Get The Monies video replay showed last run was very good. Smart Beauty consistent performer of late and worth considering. Just needs some luck from barrier 12 that hasn’t stopped him before.
Race 4: Packing Prospect having second start and can improve with experience. Debut run was better than it reads as he lost ground at the start and was on the back foot. Trialled okay since and gets barrier 1 with McDonald in the plate. Lifeline Express every chance last start but still ran a good race. The rise to 1200m should suit now. Soaring Bronco having first start and watch the betting odds, his trials have been promising. Speed Sword down in class in this race and should perform better, start to follow. Winning Heart looked unlucky when being held up at a crucial stage last start.
Race 5: Call Me Glorious newcomer who has trialled well for debut more than one time and appears to have good ability. Drawn awkwardly in barrier 10 but has shown plenty of gate speed which hold him in good stead here. Geneva every chance last start but still ran a good race on debut. He will come on for the experience. Sunny Da Best having first start and watch the betting odds. Telecom Dragon eased early before going on to make late ground. He can show more from a low gate here. Must Go last run suggested a win was very near. Drawn wide but getting close to a win.
Race 6: Smart Fighter caught wide last start and still ran well. He comes into a low gate for the first time in a long time, which will enhance his chances. Panda Legend caused a surprise last start when winning at big odds. Second To None form is good and must be rated a solid chance. Hewitson just needs some early luck from the wide draw. Loyal Bo Bo will be suited by the rise in distance and can run well. Joy Of Spring emergency runner who gains a start and can show more than last start.
Race 7: Romantic Warrior local champion who needs no introduction. Races first-up off his G1 Hong Kong Cup win and aims to go one place better in this race after going down by the barest of margins to Golden Sixty last year. Hard to oppose. Straight Arron last start placing was full of merit, nice effort and he will lap up the extra ground. Voyage Bubble racing in career-best form and continues to rise to the occasion. Beauty Joy a bit erratic and hard to follow but has ability and can surprise with the right run. Five G Patch looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. A win would surprise, but he is certainly in as a place hope.
Race 8: Sweet Briar looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form after a slew of placings. Open race but he should receive all the favours from barrier No 4 under Hewitson. Karma goes well second-up from a break and is better than his last-start fifth. Gets a better jockey in the plate and should run a race. Beato well supported last start and won accordingly. Rises in class now but can measure up. Zoom Boom caught the eye last start running home powerfully. Beauty Fit recent runs have been encouraging and can run well.
Race 9: Gorgeous Win nice 3YO with a good chance to continue his winning ways here. Hard to oppose from barrier 3 and this race isn’t overly strong. Enterprise Attack ran out of condition last start and will be fitter now second-up from a break. From barrier No 2, he will map with every hope. Ace Victory was supported confidently in the betting last start when winning by leading all the way. Will need favours here from barrier 10. Rubylot consistent performer of late and worth considering on the light weight from a low draw. Parterre last start winner who rises in class.
Race 10: Young Champion turned in a very nice debut run and looks to have good ability. 1200m was too sharp for him, and he probably needed the run, so rising to 1400m second-up should be ideal. Green N White well supported last start and won accordingly. Has upside and maps favourably. Illuminous created a huge impression at local debut and looks talented. Drawn out in No 11, so will need a bit of luck in the run, but he looks promising. Amazing Victory has had no luck recently and could run a cheeky race under Bowman. Flagship Warrior generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home.