Pay168bet Horse Racing News 2.0

25/01/2025

Romantic Warrior has sealed his place as a Hong Kong racing immortal with a stunning triumph in the G1 Jebel Hatta (1800m) at Meydan Racecourse, smashing the track record with an extraordinary performance for Danny Shum and James McDonald.

Equalling Golden Sixty’s record of 10 Group 1 wins, Romantic Warrior steamrolled decorated opposition by four and a half lengths, clocking 1m 45.10s in defeating Poker Face and Holloway Boy to post his 18th win from 23 starts and conquering his fourth different racing jurisdiction after Group 1 successes in Hong Kong, Japan and Australia.

Romantic Warrior boosted his world record prizemoney earnings to almost HK$180 million with the win.

The Hong Kong International Sale graduate’s reputation as international racing’s ultimate globetrotter was cemented with a devastating surge from the 400m when he trailed leader Measured Time by 10 lengths.

McDonald, who partnered the Acclamation gelding to wins in the 2023 G1 W. S. Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley and the G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) at Tokyo Racecourse as well as eight other elite victories, was unflustered as Measured Time forged away.

“As soon as I turned for home, I could see the leader in the race so far in front but he (Romantic Warrior) was picking up so beautifully and he did the rest,” McDonald said. “I was just delighted with him. He jumps fast, he travels well and I never felt in doubt at all.

“He adapts to anything. You could put him on a saucepan and he would run well – any pace, any distance would suit him fine.”

McDonald said he was more concerned before leaving the parade ring when Romantic Warrior was unusually animated.

“I was a little bit worried before the race with gap between runs, he was more fresh in the parade ring and then he managed get his cool going to the start, so that was pleasant to see,” McDonald said.

Romantic Warrior will next contest the G1 Saudi Cup (1800m, dirt) in Riyadh on 22 February before returning to Meydan for either the G1 Dubai World Cup (2000m, dirt) or G1 Dubai Turf (1800m) on 5 April.

Asked about switching to dirt for the Saudi Cup, McDonald said: “Your guess is as good as mine because I really don’t know. It’s foreign territory for him – a different surface – but one thing I do know is that he will try his best and he will give a great sight. Whether he can win, I’m not too sure but I wouldn’t swap him for anything.”

Shum was elated with Romantic Warrior’s performance.

“He’s a really good horse, he’s talented and he’s easy look after. I was not worried (during the race) because I trust James. He’s a world-class jockey so he knew the pace so I was 100 per cent not worried,” Shum said.

“He’s one of the best in the world, there’s no doubt. He’s got a good turn of foot, he listens to what the jockey wants him to do and he can kick.

McDonald enjoyed the perfect initiation to Meydan, striking with his first ride at the track when partnering Marbaan to victory in the G2 Al Fahidi Fort (1400m) in course record time of 1m 21.04s and closing the meeting with a treble when Keffaaf won the G3 Al Khail Trophy (2810m).

Laurel River, rated joint-first with City Of Troy in the 2024 LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, was upset in the G3 Firebreak Stakes (1600m, dirt) when beaten a short head by French veteran King Gold after leading by six lengths at the 300m mark.

Making his first appearance at Meydan since finishing eighth to California Spangle in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) on 30 March, 2024, King Gold charged late under Adrie De Vries to cut down Laurel River, who was first-up since winning the G1 Dubai World Cup (2000m) last March by eight and a half lengths.

Devastated by defeat aboard Laurel River, Tadhg O’Shea rebounded with victory aboard Walk Of Stars in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge (1900m, dirt). Trained by Bhupat Seemar, the Dubawi gelding – along with Laurel River - could be among Romantic Warrior’s Saudi Cup opponents after downing Imperial Emperor and G1 Dubai Turf (1800m) victor Facteur Cheval.

24/01/2025

24/01/2025

Bidding for Group 1 glory in a fourth separate racing jurisdiction with Romantic Warrior, Danny Shum declared the Hong Kong champion fit and ready ahead of the AED1.85 million (approx. HK$3.92 million) G1 Jebel Hatta (1800m) at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai on Friday night (24 January).

To be partnered by James McDonald from barrier one against seven rivals, Romantic Warrior completed preparations at Meydan this morning, striding casually for two laps on dirt with work companion Romantic Charm before swimming.

Shum, who has landed nine elite victories with Romantic Warrior in Hong Kong, Australia and Japan, believes the seven-year-old is thriving in the Middle East.

“Romantic Warrior is fit and he’s happy here. He’s ready to race tomorrow. I hope we get a good run and I really expect how hard he will finish the race,” Shum said.

With world record earnings of HK$177.3 million, Romantic Warrior has not raced since posting a record third consecutive win in the HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on 8 December.

Reigning LONGINES World’s Best Jockey James McDonald will make his Meydan debut tomorrow night and is excited to be back aboard Romantic Warrior after combining in overseas campaigns with the gelding to win the 2023 G1 W. S. Cox Plate (2040m) in Melbourne and the 2024 G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) in Tokyo.

“He (Romantic Warrior) has got a beautiful nature, nothing fazes him, and he enjoys travelling so it’s a bit like a holiday for him,” McDonald said.

Romantic Warrior’s participation in the Jebel Hatta has created tremendous media and industry interest on the international stage as he prepares to embark on an ambitious three-race schedule in the Middle East.

Apart from the Jebel Hatta, Shum is also aiming Romantic Warrior at the G1 Saudi Cup (1800m, dirt) in Riyadh on 22 February before returning to Meydan for either the G1 Dubai World Cup (2000m, dirt) or G1 Dubai Turf (1800m) on 5 April.

Romantic Warrior has drawn barrier one in the Jebel Hatta – which will be run at 1am Hong Kong time on Saturday morning (25 January) – while Charlie Appleby-trained Measured Time, last season’s Jebel Hatta winner and 1800m course record-holder, will jump from gate six for William Buick.

Seeking a fifth victory in the race, Appleby is also represented by Ottoman Fleet who will start from barrier five under Mickael Barzalona, aiming to provide Godolphin with a 10th Jebel Hatta success.

Competing against the smallest field he has faced since 2023, Romantic Warrior will also meet Alfareeq (barrier seven), Ancient Rome (three), Holloway Boy (four), Poker Face (eight) and Royal Dubai (two).

Tomorrow night’s card also features the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge (1900m, dirt), which is headlined by the presence of 2024 Dubai Turf winner Facteur Cheval – who is also being prepared for the Saudi Cup next month.

“The plan was to send him to Dubai for the winter and try him on dirt before the big race (Saudi Cup),” trainer Jerome Reynier said. “He’s training really well on the surface, but it will be a very different scenario with the rhythm and the kick-back and everything.

“If he copes with conditions he will go for the Saudi Cup and the Dubai World Cup, but if he’s not in the first three he’ll go for the Singspiel Stakes on Super Saturday and then the Dubai Turf.”

Kabirkhan will also feature in the Al Maktoum Challenge, while Laurel River – who was rated 2024’s joint best horse with City Of Troy in the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings – will resume in the G3 Firebreak Stakes (1600m, dirt) for Bhupat Seemar and Tadhg O’Shea ahead of a potential Saudi Cup clash with Romantic Warrior.

“In my opinion, it’s always better to start shorter and build up. I didn’t want to train him for ten furlongs (2000m) now, as that’s a lot of extra works,” Seemar said of the record-breaking G1 Dubai World Cup (2000m, dirt) winner.

“Our goal is the Saudi Cup and the Dubai World Cup, so this is just a prep (race). He’s ready for it, he’s doing very, very well. He’s as fit as he can be without having had a race.”

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23/01/2025

Danny Shum expects Romantic Warrior to improve physically from running in the AED1.85 million (approx. HK$3.92 million) G1 Jebel Hatta (1800m) at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai on Friday night (24 January) when the Hong Kong champion chases a 10th Group 1 victory after drawing perfectly in barrier one.

The world’s highest-earning racehorse with prizemoney of HK$177.3 million has not raced since posting a record third consecutive win in the HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on 8 December and Shum believes the seven-year-old will benefit significantly from Friday’s contest.

“I believe he’s at 80-90% of his best condition. Actually, I don’t really like to measure it this way. If you really want me to give a specific assessment, I would say he’s a little over 80% but not quite 90%,” Shum said.

“In fact, he doesn’t need to be in top form right now, because our main goals are the following two races. For his next race on Friday, we don’t need to push him too hard. This race is mainly to prepare him for the next two bigger targets.”

Apart from the Jebel Hatta, Shum is also aiming Romantic Warrior at the G1 Saudi Cup (1800m, dirt) in Riyadh on 22 February before returning to Meydan for either the G1 Dubai World Cup (2000m, dirt) or G1 Dubai Turf (1800m) on 5 April.

Having overseen successful sorties into Australia and Japan with triumphs in the G1 W. S. Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley and the G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) at Tokyo Racecourse, Shum is satisfied with Romantic Warrior’s condition.

“The main thing is to let Romantic Warrior get used to the track here,” Shum said. “Although James McDonald is the world’s best jockey, this is his first time riding in Dubai. Both the jockey and the horse are here for the first time, so they need time to adapt.

“(On Monday, 20 January), James showed his professionalism. He inspected the turf track and jogged on it. He does the same thing when he rides at Sha Tin Racecourse. He’s a very professional jockey.

“Romantic Warrior seemed happy and eager. He moved out and overtook the pacemaker (Romantic Charm) and, after the gallop, he was calm and collected. He didn’t seem to have exerted much effort.

“His breathing was light and he wasn’t panting. It was no big deal for him.”

Romantic Warrior has drawn barrier one in the Jebel Hatta – which will run at 1am Hong Kong time on Saturday morning (25 January) – while Charlie Appleby-trained Measured Time, last season’s Jebel Hatta winner and 1800m course record-holder, will jump from gate six for William Buick.

Seeking a fifth victory in the race, Appleby is also represented by Ottoman Fleet who will start from barrier five under Mickael Barzalona, aiming to provide Godolphin with a 10th Jebel Hatta success.

Competing against the smallest field he has faced since 2023, Romantic Warrior will also meet Alfareeq (barrier seven), Ancient Rome (three), Holloway Boy (four), Poker Face (eight) and Royal Dubai (two).

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22/01/2025

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22/01/2025

Fresh from Ka Ying Rising’s stunning triumph in the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) on Sunday (19 January), David Hayes hopes Sight Happy can propel Zac Purton closer towards Hong Kong history at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (22 January).

Purton, 42, needs only two more wins to overtake Douglas Whyte’s tally of 1,813 Hong Kong victories and takes seven rides at Happy Valley tomorrow night – John Size-trained Spirit Of Peace and Beauty Alliance, Firefoot for Chris So, Aestheticism for Pierre Ng, David Eustace’s Riding Together, View Of The World for Dennis Yip and Sight Happy for Hayes.

Hayes, who has provided 10 of Purton’s 72 winners this season, including five with record-breaking sprint star Ka Ying Rising, is optimistic Sight Happy can snare his second victory this campaign when he contests the Class 4 Kowloon Park Handicap (1200m) from barrier two.

“Zac can hopefully settle midfield and, with a bit of luck, he can put his run up,” Hayes said. “He’s had some bad barriers but the last couple of runs, he’s been able to show what he’s capable of. He’s a healthy little horse and very sound, so hopefully he’ll keep putting the runs up.”

Purton believes another solid book of rides has the potential to deliver the record tomorrow night.

“We’ll see how we go, Happy Valley is always a little bit tricky. You need to get the right run and a few things go your way, but I’ve only got two (wins) to go now, so nearly there,” the seven-time Hong Kong champion said.

“View Of The World won nicely last time, but he drew the right gate (one), had a soft run behind the leaders and skipped home against an average field, so he had all the favours but I like the way he did it and he gets around the Valley nicely, so I’m hoping he can go on with it.”

With a Sha Tin double last Sunday leaving Purton with 1,812 wins, the Australian is spearing towards an eighth Hong Kong championship with 72 wins for the season – 39 clear of Hugh Bowman (33) – after 39 of 88 scheduled meetings.

Whyte’s 1,813 Hong Kong winners came from 12,269 mounts with 1,241 at Sha Tin and 572 at Happy Valley with an overall winning strike rate of 14.78%. Purton’s 1,812 winners have come from 10,351 rides with 1,125 at Sha Tin and 687 at Happy Valley with an overall winning strike rate of 17.5%.

Champion sprinter Lucky Sweynesse continued his comeback from an injury with a 1000m turf trial at Sha Tin this morning (Tuesday, 21 January), finishing second of eight runners, as he heads towards the HK$5.35 million G2 Sprint Cup (1200m) on 30 March.

Ridden by Matthew P**n, the four-time Group 1 winner finished a length and a half behind California Touch, who clocked 58.62s.

Mark Newnham confirmed Ramadan, who ran 14th in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m), would miss the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) on 31 January after the five-time winner in France finished sixth over 1600m behind Moments in Time.

“He’s not quite there yet and that’s what I expected it. He hasn’t had the ideal preparation, probably since he left France. He went from France to England to Hong Kong, quick preparation into the international race and since then, he had time in quarantine, so he’s only been in our system a short while,” he said.

“I’ve ridden in him in a couple of gallops and his fitness isn’t there yet and he’s probably still making adjustments to the firmer ground here. He wouldn’t be ready to run in the Classic Mile, so he won’t go there. I’ll just run him when he’s ready.”

Currently fourth in the Hong Kong trainers’ championship with 24 wins behind Danny Shum (28), Pierre Ng (27) and Hayes (25), Newnham hopes to gain starts in the first leg of the HK$52 million Four-Year-Old Classic Series with My Wish and Talents Ambition, who runs in a Class 3 1650m race on the dirt at Sha Tin this Sunday (26 January).

Wednesday night’s (22 January) nine-race Happy Valley card starts with the Class 5 Shan Kwong Road Park Handicap (1000m) at 6.40pm.

21/01/2025

David Hayes anointed Ka Ying Rising as “probably the best horse” he has trained, while Zac Purton described the speedster as a “really special horse” after the four-year-old’s incredible record-breaking win in the HK$13 million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (19 January).

Clocking 1m 07.20s in a phenomenal display of sustained speed, Ka Ying Rising lowered the track record for the second time this season, eclipsing the 1m 07.43s he posted on 17 November, to secure his 10th win from 12 starts and leaving Hayes and Purton awestruck.

Pitted against seven rivals, all drawn to his inside, Purton drove Ka Ying Rising out of the barriers and crossed the face of the field inside 200m to lead Magic Control and Victor The Winner – and was never headed – clocking 23.30s for the first 400m before unleashing a devastating mid-race split of 21.54s to have the race at his mercy.

Rounding the home turn, Purton flicked Ka Ying Rising into overdrive and the gelding responded with a blistering 10.59s burst from the 400m mark before easing down the 1.1 favourite to finish three and a quarter-lengths ahead of Helios Express, with Howdeepisyourlove a neck further back.

“He did surprise Zac when he jumped well and then went to the lead – to lead those fast horses so easily just shows his versatility. He can take a sit, or he just leads. He’s certainly the best sprinter I’ve had anything to do with and probably the best horse,” Hayes said.

“He’s quite freakish what he does. The last 100m today, Zac switched the engine off, so in the two track records he’s broken, he’s actually eased him down the last 100m or 80m.

“He just doesn’t lose – and I know he lost twice when he was immature – but now he’s mature, he’s just got that ability to win. He’s got amazing cruising speed and he’ll quicken off it, which is very hard to compete against.”

Purton, who has ridden a string of champion Hong Kong sprinters during a glittering career, said facts and figures underscored Ka Ying Rising’s extraordinary talent.

Asked if the four-year-old was the best sprinter he had ever ridden, Purton said: “He’s right up there. He’s doing things that other sprinters haven’t done, winning with the ease he’s winning with, running the times, he’s running.

“We’ve had a lot of champion sprinters grace our turf here and they’ve all had the chance to run the times, he’s run. So, yeah, he’s starting to become a really special horse.”

Desperate to avoid a repeat of the HK$26 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) in December when Ka Ying Rising triumphed by half a length in his slowest time of the season – 1m 08.15s – Purton enacted a simple plan.

“Jump, be positive and just work it out as we go,” he said. “They went too slow in December and it allowed the horses to be too close, so today I made sure the man was going to take care of the boys.

“He can run sectionals comfortably and kick off it. It’s very unique to have a horse that can do that, but he can. But when you go too slow, it allows the other horses a bit of an opportunity. Today, we made a statement again.”

The Centenary Sprint Cup is the first leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series, Hayes confirmed Ka Ying Rising would chase a HK$5 million bonus by winning the HK$13 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) on 23 February and the HK$22 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) on 27 April.

Longer term, Hayes is contemplating a tilt at G1 The Everest (1200m) – worth a staggering AU$20 million (approx. HK$96.4 million) – at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Australia on 18 October.

“It’s the richest turf race in the world, it’s at his distance, so it’s getting more realistic every month we go on. We’ll really start thinking about a pathway towards it after the international race here in April and then after that, he’ll probably just be set for the big sprint,” Hayes said.

Purton finished meeting with 1,812 wins – one shy of Douglas Whyte’s Hong Kong record – having also scored on David Hall’s Mr Energia in the Class 4 Seasons Bloom Handicap (1400m), while James McDonald took riding honours with a treble.

The New Zealander claimed the HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) on Ricky Yiu’s Voyage Bubble, the Class 4 Beat The Clock Handicap (1200m) on Danny Shum-trained Blazing Wind and the Class 3 Mr Vitality Handicap (1400m) for John Size on Bundle Award, who claimed a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million.

Andrea Atzeni slotted a double with Manfred Man’s lightly-raced Gold Master, who won the Class 4 Helene Paragon Handicap (1600m) and Noisy Boy, who enhanced HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) credentials, with victory for Dennis Yip in the Class 2 Able Friend Handicap (2000m).

Man also sealed a brace when Patch Of Cosmo clinched the Class 3 Sound Print Handicap (1400m) for Matthew Chadwick, while Craig Williams posted his first Hong Kong winner since 2016/17 when Cody Mo’s Forerunner triumphed by a head in the Class 4 Waikuku Handicap (1400m).

“It’s great to be here, it was a home away from home for a long period of my life, my riding career and I was very grateful for the opportunity I had many years ago to make me the rider and the person I am today, so it’s nice to come back,” he said.

Three-year-old Sky Joy continued his impressive progress with victory under Jerry Chau in the Class 4 Peniaphobia Handicap (1200m), posting his second victory for Ricky Yiu, before Prince Of Porty’s success in the Class 3 Aerovelocity Handicap (1200m) under Matthew P**n gave Hall a double.

Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (22 January).

20/01/2025

Underscoring his status as Hong Kong’s premier miler, Voyage Bubble claimed a second straight HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) at Sha Tin this afternoon (Sunday, 19 January) for jockey James McDonald and trainer Ricky Yiu.

Receiving a smooth passage throughout, six-year-old Voyage Bubble settled behind leaders California Spangle and Beauty Eternal after breaking from barrier four. Turning for home, Voyage Bubble quickly made ground to hit the lead with 400m left to run.

“I reckon this is the best he’s felt since I’ve ridden him. He strode around to the start with a real purpose and he’s such an easy horse to read,” McDonald said. “He’s superb. He’s just bomb proof, jumps fast, puts himself in a good position and quickens.”

Sent off as 1.8 favourite, today’s Group 1 is Voyage Bubble’s third after wins in this race last year and last month’s HK$36 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m).

The uncomplicated Deep Field gelding – owned by the Sunshine And Moonlight Syndicate – now boasts nine wins from 23 starts and earnings of HK$77.87 million. Among his triumphs is a 45/1 success in the 2023 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m).

“When he’s got a real pep in his step, he’s on song and he’s a privilege to ride,” said McDonald, who also won today’s HK$1.17 million Class 4 Beat The Clock Handicap (1200m) aboard Blazing Wind and HK$1.86 million Class 3 Mr Vitality Handicap (1400m) atop Four-Year-Old Classic Series aspirant Bundle Award.

Voyage Bubble – rated 128 – clocked 1m 33.58s in winning ahead of a closing Galaxy Patch (second), Red Lion (third), Beauty Joy (fourth), Beauty Eternal (fifth), Chancheng Glory (sixth), Patch Of Theta (seventh) and California Spangle (eighth).

“I’m going to watch the replay a few times, that was a good race to watch. He seems to do his job a little bit easier every time and you can see he’s improving still with every race. He’s just a really talented horse and he’s very straightforward to ride,” Yiu said.

The Stewards’ Cup is the first leg of the Triple Crown which carries a HK$10 million bonus on offer to any horse who can also win the HK$13 million G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) on 23 February and HK$13 million G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) on 25 May.

“We’re going to give the Triple Crown a crack. Besides his Derby win, he was second to a very good horse (Romantic Warrior) in the Gold Cup last year. That’s a very good indication that he can go up to that distance no problem,” Yiu said.

“We’ll see a lot more from the second leg to see if he’ll be able to get the 2400 (metres). Over the 2400 there could be some overseas horses as well.”

Yiu scooped a double at Sha Tin, earlier winning the HK$1.17 million Class 4 Peniaphobia Handicap (1200m) with Sky Joy.

River Verdon (1993/94) is the only Triple Crown winner in Hong Kong racing history.

Voyage Bubble (2024 & 2025) joins Always Plentiful (1985 & 1986), Electronic Unicorn (2002 & 2003) and Good Ba Ba (2008 & 2009) as the fourth horse to claim consecutive Stewards’ Cups.

Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley this Wednesday (22 January).

18/01/2025

Zac Purton is confident Ka Ying Rising’s sheer talent and versatility will enable the crack sprinter to overcome another challenging barrier in the HK$13 million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (19 January) as history beckons for the seven-time Hong Kong champion jockey.

Needing only three more wins to equal Douglas Whyte’s record of 1,813, Purton has seven rides across the 11-race card, headed by Ka Ying Rising and Beauty Eternal in the HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m).

Purton, 42, will bid to land the Centenary Sprint Cup for the third time after victories on Aerovelocity (2016) and Lucky Sweynesse (2023) as Ka Ying Rising chases a ninth consecutive win from the outside barrier in the eight-horse field.

The 128-rater has drawn barriers nine, 10 and 11 at his past three outings, winning on each occasion, but Purton sounded a note of caution ahead of Sunday’s contest.

“Obviously he (Ka Ying Rising) has got good gate speed, so that’s an asset. There’s a little bit of speed inside him. Being drawn outside in a small field is always tricky because the runners to the inside generally try to hold a more prominent position than they might normally in a bigger field,” Purton said.

“So, I would expect a few horses to do that and it might not be easy to get across, so I’ll need a little bit of luck.

“He’s got a really good brain, so that certainly helps. I just hope there’s a spot for me to get in behind Victor The Winner (barrier one) or Magic Control (barrier four) and I can get the one off. We’ll see how we go early.”

Purton believes Ka Ying Rising’s effort to contest the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) last month was a feat in itself – much less comfortably defeating a world-class field.

“I think people forget that he’s only a young four-year-old and that’s he’s come a long way in only a short period of time,” Purton said.

“It was not only a year to the day that he had his first start, and first win, to then lining up in an international sprint, so he did a really good job just to get there – he did an even better job to win, drawing out (barrier 11) that day as well.

“He’s the only horse in history to come from barrier 11 to win the (LONGINES Hong Kong) Sprint, so he had that against him. He was a little bit slow to step and he was taken on by Victor The Winner, sitting outside him, eye-balling him in front so he never got a chance to relax and he still gave a good kick and won.

“There was a lot of merit to the win and I think he will continue to get better as well.”

Ka Ying Rising will be challenged this weekend by Victor The Winner, Helios Express, Howdeepisyourlove, Invincible Sage, Lucky With You, Beauty Waves and Magic Control.

The Centenary Sprint Cup marks the start of the three-race Hong Kong Speed Series, which carries a HK$5 million bonus for any horse which wins all three races. The HK$13 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) on 23 February and the HK$22 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) on 27 April complete the series.

Purton has also drawn barrier eight in the Stewards’ Cup on Beauty Eternal, who is bidding to return to winning form against Voyage Bubble, California Spangle, Beauty Joy, Galaxy Patch, Chancheng Glory, Red Lion and Patch Of Theta.

“He (Beauty Eternal) beat Golden Sixty last season and he’s come back this season and been really disappointing. He’s been his own worst enemy, pulling himself into the ground and he wouldn’t relax at all,” the Australian said.

“Last time, he had the ear plugs and the Norton bit on and he relaxed much better and gave himself a chance but didn’t perform. He continues to trial well, but he’s just not producing it on race day.

“He won’t be able to lead this race because California Spangle is in (barrier) two, so I’ll probably have to sit outside him. Voyage Bubble looks like he’s going to be in the right spot and he’s going to have the race at his mercy.

“He (Voyage Bubble) is not over the line because there are some handy horses in it and Galaxy Patch is obviously one of those. Galaxy Patch could jump out of the ground on his day, but Voyage Bubble is going to be in the right spot.”

The Stewards’ Cup is the first leg of the Triple Crown series with a HK$10 million bonus on offer to any horse who can also win the HK$13 million G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) on 23 February and HK$13 million G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) on 25 May.

Sunday’s (19 January) Sha Tin card starts with the Class 4 Beat The Clock Handicap (1200m) at 12.30pm.

17/01/2025

Blake Shinn is optimistic Galaxy Patch is poised for a peak performance in the HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (19 January) when the Australian reunites with one of Hong Kong’s most exciting horses.

With three Group 1 victories among his 79 wins in Hong Kong, Shinn is hopeful Pierre Ng-trained Galaxy Patch can return to winning form after a string of luckless runs this season, including a last-start seventh in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) behind Voyage Bubble on 8 December.

“He’s such a talented horse, as we all know. He’s been running well all season. His run in the Hong Kong Mile – despite having no luck at a vital stage from barrier 14 – was phenomenal.

“So, it’s great to be back aboard. Obviously, I ran second on him in the (BMW Hong Kong) Derby and I’ve ridden him a couple of times. He’s trialled nice since his last run, looks to be going well and I’m just grateful to Pierre and the owners for asking me to ride him.”

One of Hong Kong’s most versatile horses with seven wins from 1200m to 1800m, a Group 1 second at 1400m and a neck second in the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m), Galaxy Patch will jump from barrier three on Sunday, when he reopposes Voyage Bubble, California Spangle, Beauty Eternal, Beauty Joy, Chancheng Glory, Red Lion and Patch Of Theta.

The Stewards’ Cup is the first leg of the Triple Crown series with a HK$10 million bonus on offer to any horse who can also win the HK$13 million G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) on 23 February and HK$13 million G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) on 25 May.

Shinn will ride Beauty Waves for Ng in the HK$13 million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m), where the consistent speedster will face track record-holder Ka Ying Rising, Victor The Winner, Helios Express, Howdeepisyourlove, Invincible Sage, Lucky With You and Magic Control.

Beauty Waves followed his sixth to Ka Ying Rising in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) last month with a third to Howdeepisyourlove in the G3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy Handicap (1000m) on 1 January, taking his overall record to four wins and eight minor placings from 16 starts in Hong Kong.

“My horse is very honest. You only have to look at his form, he never runs a bad race and his run in the Hong Kong Sprint was really good after drawing a wide barrier – he hit the line really well,” Shinn said.

“I know we’re meeting an absolute superstar in Ka Ying Rising but hopefully we have a nice run and get some prizemoney for the owners.”

The Centenary Sprint Cup marks the start of the three-race Hong Kong Speed Series, which carries a HK$5 million bonus for any horse which wins all three races. The second leg is the HK$13 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) on 23 February, while the HK$22 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) on 27 April is the third leg.

Apart from his Group 1 rides on Galaxy Patch and Beauty Waves, Shinn will partner Cambridge, Prestige Always and Divine Moonlight for Ng. The Australian also teams with Caspar Fownes-trained Fantastic Fun, Galvanic and Flying Luck and Jamie Richards’ Storming Dragon and Seasons Wit.

“It’s exciting, it’s good,” Shinn said of his bookings.

Shinn will again return to Hong Kong to partner Divano for Francis Lui in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) on 31 January.

New Zealander James McDonald returns to Hong Kong for the first time since December, bidding to add to his 19 wins from only 89 rides for the season. Apart from Voyage Bubble, McDonald partners Howdeepisyourlove, Blazing Wind, Matsu Victor, Leslie, Jolly Ruler, Gracious Express, Bundle Award, Romantic Thor and Lady’s Choice.

Australian Craig Williams, who has 123 Hong Kong wins to his credit, takes the mount on Magic Control for Cody Mo as well as Talents Supremo, Chater Gold, Forerunner, Chain Of Gold, Lost Child, Noble Pursuit and Aurio.

Sunday’s (19 January) 11-race card at Sha Tin starts with the Class 4 Beat The Clock Handicap (1200m) at 12.30pm.