All Four Defending Champs Return For HKIR

[Wandering Eyes]

Hong Kong is the December place to be for world-class horseracing and Sunday's Longines Hong Kong International Races–offering some HK$130 million (£12.5 million/US$16.7 million) across four races–has once again attracted a veritable who's who from a variety of racing jurisdictions.

In a real racing rarity, each of the winners from last year's meeting returns to Sha Tin and each has realistic chances to repeat the dose. Indeed, it would be a complete shock if two of the four–Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) and Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress)–fail to deliver in the HK$40-million G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup and HK$28-million G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint, respectively. Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) and Giavellotto (Mastercraftsman) are bigger queries, respectively, in what appear to be more wide-open renewals of the HK$36-million G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile and HK$26-million G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase.

Romantic Warrior made history in 2024, becoming the first to win Hong Kong's most valuable race three times on the spin when accounting for Liberty Island (Duramente) ahead of a three-race assault in the desert–a victory in the G1 Jebel Hatta and excruciating runner-up efforts in the G1 Saudi Cup and G1 Dubai Turf–which added a cool $4.8 million to his bankroll. After having a screw inserted in a fetlock, he defied a 232-absence to easily defeat Voyage Bubble in the G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup three weeks ago.

“It's pretty remarkable to think what he's trying to achieve; he's just been such a good horse for such a long time, his longevity has been remarkable,” jockey James McDonald said. “He's a funny horse, I've had nothing like it in my life in terms of that I never feel like he's ever going to lose, no matter what. He's just a superb racehorse; he always gives his best, which is most important, he's got a great racing style. It's just a privilege to ride him.”

The Japanese challenge is formed by G1 Osaka Hai hero Bellagio Opera (Lord Kanaloa) and Rousham Park (Harbinger), while the Francis Graffard yard sends out G1 Prix Jean Romanet victress Quisisana (Le Havre). Galen (Gleneagles) raids off a cracking second in last month's G2 Bahrain International Trophy for Joseph O'Brien.

KYR Shooting For Sweet Sixteen in Sprint

Ka Ying Rising meanwhile goes for his 16th straight success and a victory in the Sprint would tie Golden Sixty (Medaglia d'Oro) and put him one win behind the legendary Silent Witness (El Moxie).

It all seems a fait accompli, and if the one hole is remotely a concern for the G1 The Everest conqueror, his connections certainly were not letting on.

“I think [jockey] Zac [Purton] will be very happy,” said his trainer David Hayes. “It's more important what Zac thinks this time from the barrier because he has to do the job. I will leave it to him.

Ka Ying Rising | HKJC

“The horse jumps fast and he puts him in a spot, and then hopefully he gets a trouble-free run. You can get blocked in from barrier one. I don't think he will. If he jumps fast, he can have a nice easy run to the home turn.”

Japan's Satono Reve, whose sire Lord Kanaloa was a scintillating two-time winner of this race, makes his third trip into Sha Tin, having finished a clear second in the G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize last April after filling third spot–with Helios Express (Toronado) second–in this event 12 months ago. IJC champion Ryan Moore takes the ride. Khaadem (Dark Angel), winner of the G1 QE II Jubilee Stakes in 2024 and a latest third in the Nov. 1 GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, will need to work out a trip from barrier 13 beneath Oisin Murphy.

Voyage Bubble Faces Youthful Challenge In Mile

Given the presence of the two aforementioned heavyweights, Voyage Bubble somehow manages to fly under the radar, but has carved out a pretty remarkable career of his own, thank you very much.

Winner of the BMW Hong Kong Derby at four, he annexed this race last December, then went on to become only the second 'Triple Crown' winner in Hong Kong history with victories in the G1 Stewards' Cup (1600m), G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) and the season-ending G1 Champions and Chater Cup (2400m) during the first half of 2025. He'll drop back to the mile after settling for a pacesetting second to Romantic Warrior in the Jockey Club Cup three weeks ago.

“What he did last year really surprised me as I always thought he was a miler,” said Purton. “As he went to 2000m, he seemed to go to another level, and when he went to 2400m, he was a different horse again. He might well be better suited to a mile and a quarter or a mile and a half, but he's a lovely horse to ride; he does anything you want.”

Voyage Bubble | HKJC

For all his achievements, Voyage Bubble does not carry the '1' saddle towel. The goes to Japan's Soul Rush (Rulership), last year's Mile runner-up who famously–or infamously, if you like–took down the colours of Romantic Warrior in the nine-furlong Dubai Turf. Galaxy Patch (Wandjina) benefitted from a fast-run renewal of the G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile on trials day Nov. 23 and charged home up the fence to score with McDonald in the irons and would love some pace to run at here, while My Wish (Flying Artie) will look to atone for a fourth as the odds-on pop in the same race. Aussie ex-pat trainer Mark Newnham is of the opinion that a three-week turnaround will benefit the 5-year-old.

G1 Queen Anne Stakes upsetter Docklands (Massaat) exits a ninth (Soul Rush sixth) in the Nov. 23 G1 Mile Championship and needs to find some improvement, while Beauvatier (Lope de Vega) impressed in a Friday hit-out at Sha Tin and posted a career-best when running out a ready winner of the G2 Challenge Stakes over the straight 1400 metres at Newmarket Oct. 10. He looms one of the meeting's more interesting rough chances.

The 3-year-old filly Embroidery (Admire Mars), whose sire upset Beauty Generation in this at odds of 26-1 back in 2019 and was third to Golden Sixty in 2020, drops in trip after narrowly taking the age- and sex-restricted G1 Shuka Sho (2000m) in October. She previously landed the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) going the metric mile.

Euros Look To Continue Vase Domination

The thoughts of the connections of some of the six Europeans entered for Sunday's G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase–a race won just three times by locally based gallopers–appeared in some detail in these pages in the Friday TDN, with Giavellotto returning to Hong Kong in arguably better form than last year, when given a lovely ride from Oisin Murphy.

While Hong Kong stayers won't be troubling the judge in all likelihood, Urban Chic (Suave Richard) would not be a giant surprise. Winner of the 2024 G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) over 3000 metres, the chestnut ran on nicely to be fifth, beaten under two lengths in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) by Masquerade Ball (Duramente). The latter did his part to flatter the form of that event when just losing the bob to Calandagan (Gleneagles) in the G1 Japan Cup a couple of weekends ago. Urban Chic carries the same Silk Racing colours as two-time Vase hero Glory Vase (Deep Impact).

Giavellotto | HKJC

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