Ricky Yiu is hopeful Dragon Joy can take a crucial step towards emulating the feats of decorated stablemate Voyage Bubble when the emerging talent contests the Class 3 Rose Handicap (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday against several other HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) aspirants.
Yiu has ambitious plans for Dragon Joy after the gelding’s eye-catching last-start 1600m victory at Sha Tin on 12 January against a string of Four-Year-Old Classic Series contenders including Markwin, Sky Heart, Silvery Breeze and Mickley.
Rated 70, the son of Saxon Warrior again clashes with a host of BMW Hong Kong Derby nominees in Sunday’s finale including Allcash, Bundle Award, Embraces, Sky Heart, Morgan Success, Beauty Viva, Spanish Flame, Everyone’s Star, Another World and Winning Wing.
To be partnered by Matthew Poon, Dragon Joy will again have to overcome barrier 14 and carrying 58kg – an increase of 5kg from his previous start.
“He’s lightly raced, up-and-coming young horse. He won well last start from a wide barrier and he’ll keep improving. Hopefully we can do the same thing. The jockey knows him well. I strongly believe that he will perform again. I’m still optimistic he can beat them again,” Yiu said.
“He’s a horse who tries very hard. He always shows his best in the morning and in the races. I like him very much. He’s a pure racehorse.”
Yiu hopes Dragon Joy can press for a start in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) at Sha Tin on 2 March after two wins and a luckless third from his past three starts.
Yiu famously enjoyed Four-Year-Old Classic Series success in 2023 with Voyage Bubble’s Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) and BMW Hong Kong Derby triumphs and is confident his stable spearhead is on course for the HK$13 million G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on 23 February.
Having already won the first leg of the Triple Crown Series with victory in the G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) on 19 January, Voyage Bubble will bid for a fourth Group 1 success after finishing third in a 1200m trial on the dirt at Sha Tin on Thursday (13 February) behind Helios Express.
“He jumped ordinary and the jockey (Poon) commented that he really didn’t like the kick back. It was only a small field and he was about four lengths behind the leader and from the top of the straight, he pulled him out and asked him to go forward and he accelerated. Without the kickback, he enjoyed it. It was a good trial,” Yiu said.
David Eustace will unveil Hong Kong first-starter Colourful King in the Class 3 Osmanthus Handicap (1000m) under Andrea Atzeni after patiently guiding the Australian import through his acclimatisation.
“We took our time and he has his little quirks but, from a training and trackwork point of view, he’s been relatively straight forward,” Eustace said of the two-time winner at Sandown in Australia for Mathew Ellerton.
“He trialled in a straight line well in Conghua and the race has been targeted for a little while. He doesn’t work really flashy on the dirt – he just does enough – but he’s definitely a different horse on the grass. He’s sort of ticked all the boxes.”
By Blue Point, Colourful King has won two trials at Sha Tin since transferring from Conghua.
Ka Ying Rising limbered up for the HK$13 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin on 23 February with an effortless trial win over 1200m at Conghua this morning (14 February) under Karis Teetan.
“I don’t know about the opposition, but he was very good this morning and he actually sat in behind them before winning easily,” Hayes said. “Karis was very happy. Physically, Ka Ying Rising’s in peak shape and he’s tapering into the big race now.
“He’ll return to Sha Tin tomorrow, do some swimming and he’ll do a bit of work in the middle of the week and then be ready for the races.”
With a record-breaking victory in the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) on 19 January, when he broke his own track record by clocking 1m 07.20s, Ka Ying Rising took his unbeaten streak to nine races and secured the first leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series. - Hong Kong Jockey Club
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Podium was narrowly beaten in his last two outings and is edging closer to a win. He looks a leading contender in this shallow field. Gallant Crown a fast beginner, he could be hard to run down with a well-timed ride. Commands respect. Little Fairy boasting a perfect record in the cellar grade, he looks one to watch with the drop in class. Chilli Baba stormed home for a brilliant win in this class last time out. He will make a strong late surge again if the pace suits. Fire Ball appears always a threat at this level and should not be overlooked despite the wide draw.
Race 2: Top Dragon showed improvement with a close second last start, and the form has since been franked. Beauty Missile caught the eye flashing home late last time out despite a tardy start. With a clean jump, he could make amends. Always My Folks a moody runner, he can produce strong performances at times. Consider if his odds offer value. Laserblanca a newcomer from John Size’s stable, he has trialled well for his debut, though the wide draw remains a concern. Victor The Rapid resumes off a quiet trial, and the betting market should provide the guide.
Race 3: Magnifique a promising type who scored an easy win on debut, he is poised to secure back-to-back wins despite the awk- ward draw. Dragon Four Seas his recent runs have been encouraging and a win wouldn’t be surprising in this below-par Class 4 field. Patch Of Time a proven performer in this class, he can upset some more fancied rivals on his best form. Everyone’s Gallop appears well prepared with several trials ahead of his debut and must be respected. The Heir has dropped a lot of ratings and now looks ideally placed in Class 4, especially with the apprentice claim.
Race 4: Magnificent Nine will relish the drop to Class 4 and looks ready to break through for his first local win. Forerunner let down well to score a narrow but impressive win in this class. With the inside draw and Bowman aboard, he is primed for a double. Circuit Mighty is suited by the drop to 1400m, a distance where he has won five times. Telecom Dragon has been in consistent form recently and must be respected in this field. Beautiful Win finished strongly into fifth after a tardy start last time out. He could prove a value choice.
Race 5: Draco sat on pace and finished a meritorious third despite travelling wide last start. He could be hard to run down with a smoother run. Master Of All possesses tactical speed and is always dangerous in Class 4. Spirit Of Peace scored a tenacious win in this class and has since trialled well to maintain his form. Goldentronicmighty likes to get back and charge home late, and should deliver a commendable performance in a genuinely run race. Win Speed showed improvement last start and appears to be a chance despite the wide draw.
Race 6: Chater Gold was held up at a crucial stage last start, and with a smoother run—likely from a decent draw—he could make amends. Beauty Alliance caught wide last start but still ran well. He can bounce back in Class 4 at any time. Volcanic Spark has ability and could cause an upset if he brings his A-game to the track. Billionaire Secret showed improvement with a fast-finishing second last start and looks one to follow. Me Time has been racing in great form and must be rated a chance, though he generally performs better at Happy Valley
Race 7: Family Jewel a talented type resuming from a break, he has trialled well and looks ready to run a big race first-up. Steps Ahead had excuses last start (raced wide) and is worth giving another chance, based on his consistent form previously. Markwin will likely find this easier than the 4YO feature last start. But the 1800m trip remains a concern for this son of I Am Invincible. Supreme Agility is better than his recent form suggests and could surprise at odds. Simple Hedge appears well placed at the weights and should not be overlooked.
Race 8: Sunlight Power an impressive last start winner, he remains the one to beat despite the awkward draw. Mid Winter Wind a former South African galloper who scored a big win on his local debut, he looks to have plenty of scope and the rise to 1600m will suit him even better. Karma with an explosive turn of foot, he will make his presence felt under the right race shape. Mickley caught the eye running home powerfully last start and should play a key role in Class 2. Voyage Samurai is better than his recent form indicates and could sneak into the placings at odds.
Race 9: Know At Heart finished a luckless fifth last start when held up in the concluding stages. With better luck in running, he should secure a spot in the Top 3. Fast Responder is coming off an impressive win in this class and a double looks well within his reach. Crimson Flash turned in a very nice local debut run and further improvement is expected second-up. Sparkling Fellow stormed home for a slashing third first-up and must be rated a strong chance. Majestic Express has shown consistent form in Class 3 and should be included in exotic bets.
Race 10: Lifeline Express had excuses last start when badly held up at a crucial stage. He is well weighted here and could make amends with a smoother run. Swift Ascend has been in career-best form and looks a strong contender, despite carrying top weight. Lucy In The Sky appears suited by the drop in distance and could surprise at value. Glory Elite has a better winning chance over this distance and should not be overlooked. Alsonso has shown ability and may be able to sneak into the placings at odds.
Race 11: Another World has shown vast improvement recently and is ideally weighted to produce another encouraging effort in this wide-open field. Bundle Award scored a narrow win in this class last time out, and with a favourable draw, he is poised to secure a double. Sky Heart has tactical speed and could be hard to catch if allowed a soft lead. Everyone’s Star attacked the line strongly late on his local debut and has since trial well. New Future Folks was an easy last start winner, though favoured by a slow tempo. He can replicate that win under similar conditions.