Romantic Warrior, Voyage Bubble steal Ka Ying’s thunder

He Jiong

With the Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) fast approaching, Sunday’s meeting serves as the traditional prelude, featuring three Group 2 lead-up events — the Jockey Club Cup, the Jockey Club Mile and the Jockey Club Sprint — on an action-packed 10-race card.

While Ka Ying Rising chases an extraordinary 15th straight win in the Group 2 Jockey Club Sprint this Sunday, it’s the Group 2 Jockey Club Cup (2000m) — and the heavyweight showdown between Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble — that will steal the spotlight.

Romantic Warrior, Horse Of The Year for the 2023/24 season, hasn’t raced since his Middle East mission, where he smashed the track record in the G1 Jebel Hatta and then went down fighting in both the G1 Saudi Cup and G1 Dubai Turf. Already a proven force on the world stage, the Danny Shum-trained superstar returns to Sha Tin as the one they all have to beat.

Voyage Bubble, who in May became only the second horse ever to sweep the Hong Kong Triple Crown for older horses, could manage only 12th in the G2 Sha Tin Trophy first-up — but he was posted wide throughout and paid the price late. With a smoother trip this time, he’s more than capable of flipping the script.

Top-class galloper My Wish looks primed to complete a hat-trick when he lines up in the Group 2 Jockey Club Mile.

One of last season’s standout four-year-olds, the now five-year-old has returned better than ever this campaign, posting consecutive Group victories. Two starts back, he cruised home in the G3 Celebration Cup, then followed up by overcoming a wide draw to land the G2 Sha Tin Trophy over this course and distance.

With Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble both contesting the Jockey Club Cup instead, My Wish shapes as the standout on exposed form. A repeat of his latest performance should see him prove exceptionally hard to beat, especially with a favourable gate in his favour.

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Made For Life has trialled well for his debut and must be rated a big winning chance in this moderate Class 4 field. All’s Well underperformed last start, but from a low draw he looks capable of bouncing back here. California Bay flashed home late into third last time out and should be competitive off a reduced mark. Jubilant Star has encountered traffic issues in both starts but still managed to finish second once. With a cleaner run, he could make amends. Copartner Fleet will relish the drop in class and could be hard to run down if allowed a soft lead.

Race 2: Lucky Man was significantly hampered by a wide draw last start, and from a better gate, he looks ideally weighted to make amends. Sunny Q his recent eye-catching efforts make him hard to overlook here. Keep safe. Fit For Beauty ran on well in a recent trial, and with James McDonald aboard, he could spring a surprise. Cheval Victorious let down sharply from a wide draw last start and could show further improvement from a low gate. Happy Boss has been well prepared with several trials for his debut and the betting market will provide the best guide.

Race 3: Raging Rapids has not been beaten far in recent starts, including a solid fifth last time out. He looks a leading contender from pole position. Do Your Part has been in consistent form and is worth considering despite carrying top weight. Victory Champion showed improvement in a recent trial and could cause an upset against more fancied rivals. Decision Link held up at a crucial stage last start, and with a smoother trip, he could be right in the mix. Glaciated let down well to finish third on the All-Weather surface last start and looks one to follow.

Race 4: Noisy Boy should be highly suited by the rise in distance, and with the apprentice claim, he is expected to deliver a strong on-pace performance. Winning Wing scored a strong win in this class last time out, and a double looks well within reach. Gentlemen Legacy has been consistent in Class 3 and looks capable of bouncing back anytime. Stunning Peach produced an improved effort last start, and with Purton jumping aboard, he must be respected. Money Catcher an old-timer with patchy form, his last-start effort was encouraging, but the question is whether he can repeat it from a wide draw.

Race 5: Invincible Ibis a progressive 4YO, he won his last start in style and looks poised to secure back-to-back victories in Class 3. Lucy In The Sky led most of the trip last start, and from a better draw, he deserves another chance. Gracious Express surprised at long odds last time out, and with the apprentice claim, he may repeat the dose from pole position. The Red Hare found the line well late last start and appears ideally weighted to produce another encouraging effort. Sunny Da Best charged home strongly to finish second last start, but the wide draw remains a concern.

Race 6: Ka Ying Rising widely accepted as the world’s premier sprinter, he returns to Sha Tin aiming for a 15th consecutive victory after dominating The Everest. Helios Express with his more conservative racing style, he will need a genuine pace to produce a strong finish. Tomodachi Kokoroe has been in career-best form this preparation and should continue the strong run, despite meeting an elite field. Lucky Sweynesse once the best in Hong Kong, he now looks more of a place chance. Fast Network the inside gate and the booking of J-Mac are both positives, making him one to watch.

Race 7: My Wish looks to be the next big deal in Hong Kong after posting back-to-back Group wins, and he shapes as the leading contender. Galaxy Patch held up at a crucial stage last start, and with a smoother run, he may reverse the result against My Wish, especially with a favourable weight swing. Happy Together was narrowly beaten last start and looks always a threat at this level. Light Years Charm looks to be a highly promising type, but this is the biggest test so far in his career. Sunlight Power finished strongly into fourth in a G3 feature over 1800m last start, and the drop in distance should suit him even better.

Race 8: Romantic Warrior a multiple G1 champion resuming from a break, he is already a proven force on the world stage and stands out as the horse to beat. Voyage Bubble swept the Triple Crown for older horses last season, and he could make amends second-up after a luckless first-up run. Bundle Award will make his presence felt late if they overdo it up front, and looks a value pick. Straight Arron capable but moody, he could pop up on his day, so don’t fully rule him out. Ensued better than his recent form suggests and could place at long odds.

Race 9: Public Attention boasting strong form Down Under, he is well prepared for his local debut and must be considered a leading contender. Star Rise ran on well late in a slowly run race last start, and from an inside gate, he should be highly competitive if he can settle closer to the speed. Szeryng scored an easy win in Class 4 last start and remains a strong chance despite the rise in class. Sky Joy looks capable of going one better after a close second last start, though the widest draw could make things tricky. Harold Win looks a solid chance based on his encouraging recent efforts.

Race 10: Master Of All a dangerous frontrunner, he should enjoy a smooth trip on the speed from a good draw and go close to winning. Anode failed to show his usual tactical speed last start and could bounce back if he reverts to a positive tactic. Everyone’s Star his recent efforts have been encouraging, and with Purton staying aboard, he should play a key role. Brilliant Express caught the eye flashing home late last start and could show further improvement with a low draw. Lucky My Way his last start was better than it appears on paper, and he could sneak into the placings at long odds.