The appearance of Hong Kong’s three equine heavenly kings – KA YING RISING, ROMANTIC WARRIOR and VOYAGE BUBBLE – in Sha Tin barrier trials over the past week signals the start of the one of the most exciting phases in the city’s world-class racing.
With FWD Champions Day rapidly approaching on 26 April, KA YING RISING set an impressive tone when he cruised through a 1000m barrier trial on Tuesday (24 March), clocking 57.62s while under heavy restraint from Zac Purton, as he prepares for the HK$5.35 million G2 Sprint Cup (1200m) on 6 April, where he will press for a record-extending 19th consecutive win.
Beyond that, David Hayes’ champion will chase a second HK$24 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) win, a feat which would not only deliver a remarkable 20th straight victory but would also clinch the final leg of the HK$5 million Hong Kong Speed Series, comprising the HK$13 million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) and HK$13 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m).
KA YING RISING’s fellow global champion, ROMANTIC WARRIOR continued the FWD Champions Day build-up on Thursday (26 March) with an easy barrier trial victory over 1200m on the dirt as Danny Shum’s flagbearer prepares to bid for a record fourth HK$30 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) and a record-extending 14th Group 1 spoil.
In finishing ahead Group 1-winning RED LION in 1m 10.70s, ROMANTIC WARRIOR was followed across the line by VOYAGE BUBBLE, who will clash with several G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) aspirants in the HK$5.35 million G2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m).
Entered to challenge VOYAGE BUBBLE on Easter Monday are LUCKY SWEYNESSE, RED LION, MY WISH, CAP FERRAT, RUBYLOT, GALAXY PATCH and BEAUTY JOY, among others.
These are certainly exciting times for Hong Kong’s world-class racing, and I look forward to more superb racing over the next month, particularly at our spring international meeting on FWD Champions Day.
Our World Pool operation showcases top-quality international racing this weekend with Group 1 contests from Flemington, Rosehill and Meydan Racecourses on Saturday (28 March) with the first of two races on Australian Cup Day scheduled from 12.40pm.
The G1 Australian Cup is carded as S1-2 and will be run over 2000m at 1.15pm and the pace should be good in the rain-affected conditions.
TOM KITTEN (Craig Williams) relishes soft going and is a last-start winner at Flemington. He is chasing a third successive victory, and he is a win and place chance.
Chris Waller has a strong hand with BIRDMAN (Ben Melham) and LEICA LUCY (Damian Lane), both of will be hard to beat. APULIA (William Pike) and SABAJ (Beau Mertens) are also place chances.
The first of two races from Tancred Stakes Day at Rosehill in Sydney will be simulcast from 1.35pm with the G1 Tancred Stakes carded as S2-1 and run over 2400pm. The pace should be strong on the soft ground.
AELIANA won at Group 1 level last week and quickly back in action for James McDonald and Chris Waller as a win and place hope.
DUBAI HONOUR (Tom Marquand) thrives in Australia with three Group 1 victories from four starts, including in this race last year. Now a veteran, DUBAI HONOUR produces his best on rain-affected going for William Haggas and is also a win and place chance.
VAUBAN (Tim Clark) resumed with an impressive Group 3 win over 2000m and has won six of 14 starts on soft ground.
Our attention turns to Meydan Racecourse in Dubai on Saturday night with the first of eight races scheduled from 8.20pm. Two of the world’s champion racehorses – CALANDAGAN and FOREVER YOUNG – feature at a fantastic meeting.
The G1 Dubai Sheema Classic is carded as S3-7 and will be run over 2410m at 00.10am on Sunday morning.
CALANDAGAN (Mickael Barzalona) finished 2025 as the world’s highest-rated horse in the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings ahead of KA YING RISING. As the last-start winner of the G1 Japan Cup (2400m), CALANDAGAN is chasing a fifth consecutive Group 1 victory after wins in England (two), France and Japan. He is my win and place selection.
ETHICAL DIAMOND, who will be ridden by Daniel Tudhope and, along with G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m) winner GIAVELLOTTO (James Doyle), are both place chances.
The G1 Dubai World Cup is carded as S3-8 and will be run over 2000m on dirt at 00.45am.
FOREVER YOUNG (Ryusei Sakai) is the world’s best dirt horse and is chasing his 12th win from 15 starts. He was beaten in this race last year by HIT SHOW but comes into this race off last-start victory in the G1 Saudi Cup (1800m, dirt) in Riyadh. He is a win and place chance.
HIT SHOW (Florent Geroux) is a high-class dirt horse and returned to winning form last start at Fair Grounds. He is the hardest to beat along with MEYDAAN (William Buick), MAGNITUDE (Jose Ortiz) and IMPERIAL EMPEROR (Tadhg O’Shea).
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