At some point the superlatives run out.
Just two races after breaking Sha Tin's 1200m course record, previously held by the standout Sacred Kingdom (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}), Ka Ying Rising (Fresh Zealand) (Shamexpress {NZ}) improved that mark several times over when he dominated the HK$13 million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup from the front on Sunday. It was the 4-year-old's ninth straight win, his 10th in just 12 career starts, and his contacts are pondering what “heights” he might reach.
“It's the richest turf race in the world, it's at its distance so it's getting more realistic every month,” said trainer David Hayes, referring to the A$20 million G1 The Everest at Randwick on April 18. October. “We'll really start thinking about a way to get there after the international race here in April [G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize] and after that he’ll probably be ready for the substantial sprint.”
When Ka Ying Rising was last seen at the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint on December 8, he was the first to win the race from barrier 11, but the victory was in more workmanlike fashion compared to his record-breaking performance a start earlier achieved.
There would be no such chatter this time as Zac Purton fired his horse straight into the lead from the eighth gate and immediately crossed inside to make the run while well in hand. Ka Ying Rising galloped through the first 400 meters in:23.30 – 0.35 seconds inside the standard time – and threw his next 400 meters in an incredible time of:21.54, more than half a second faster than average. Even though he backed off in the final 100 metres, he still covered his final two furlongs in standard and the lead belied his utter dominance.
“They were too ponderous in December and that allowed the horses to be too close together, so today I made sure the man took care of the guys,” said Purton, whose double in the program puts him within two seconds of the all-time breakthrough record by Douglas Whyte. “We have seen many sprint champions on our lawn here and they all had the chance to run the times, he ran. So, yeah, he’s starting to become a very special horse.”
Hayes, who calls Ka Ying Rising “probably the best horse I've ever had” and draws comparisons to Black Caviar (Aus), said the winner will move on to the G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup over 1400 meters on February 23.
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
CENTURY SPRINT CUP-G1HK$13,000,000, Sha Tin, 1-19, 3yrs/over, 1200mT, 1:07.20 (NCR), gd.
1–KA YING RISING (NZ), 126, g, 4, by Shamexpress (NZ)
1st mother: Missy Moo (NZ), by Per Incanto
2nd mother: Royal Rhythm (NZ), by Rhythm
3rd mother: Her Dynasty (NZ), by Sir Tristram (Ire)
O-Ka Ying Syndicate; B-Grandmoral Lodge Racing; T David Hayes; J Zac Purton; HK$7,280,000. Lifetime record: 12-10-2-0, HK$38,377,200. Work Nick Rating: A++. Click for that eNicks report and 5-cross family tree or the Free catalog style pedigree from Equineline.com.
2–Helios Express (Off)126, g, 5, Toronado (Ire)–Paris Texas (Aus), by Hinchinbrook (Aus). O-Andy Yung Ming Tai; BC Wells (WA); T-John size; J Hugh Bowman; HK$2,730,000.
3–Howdeepisyourlove (Aus)126, g, 5, Deep Field (Aus)–My Shabella (Aus), by Haradasun (Aus). 1. G1 BLACK TYPE. (A$270,000 Ylg '21 INGFEB). O-Lo Profile Syndicate; BP Sweeney (Qld); T-John size; J James McDonald; HK$1,495,000.
Margins: 3 1/4, HF, NK. Odds: 15-100, 11-2, 17-1.
Also running: Invincible Sage (Aus), Lucky With You (Aus), Magic Control (Aus), Beauty Waves (Ire), Victor The Winner (Aus). Click for that HKJC chart, PPs And Section timing. VIDEO.
Voyage Bubble successfully defends the Stewards' Cup
He may lack the rock star quality of a horse like Ka Ying Rising, but make no mistake, Travel Bubble (Off) (Deep Field {Aus}) is a pure racehorse and maintained his current purple form with a convincing defense of his title in the G1 Stewards' Cup.
The $1.80 (4-5) favorite for his recent success in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile six weeks ago, Voyage Bubble was one of the first to break the finish line for Dubai-bound James McDonald, but he was ecstatic with it back to third place as California Spangle (Irish) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), last year's G1 Al Quoz sprint hero stretching back to the mile, cut out the fractions Beauty Eternal (Off) (Starspangledbanner {Off}). Voyage Bubble followed the latter until the last 600 meters, was left behind three times on the swing and took the lead with just under a quarter of a mile to go and was never in danger Galaxy Patch (Off) (Wandjina {Aus}) finished well with second place.
“I think this is the best he has felt since I rode him,” said McDonald, who was due to leave Hong Kong on Sunday for Meydan, where he will ride Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB.) in the G1 Jebel on Friday }) rides Hatta. “He started with a real purpose and is such an basic horse to understand. He's great. He’s just bombproof, jumps quickly, gets into a good position and accelerates.”
With Romantic Warrior traveling over the next few months, the path to the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) on February 23 becomes much clearer, and coach Ricky Yiu hinted that this is next on the dance card for the BMW Hong In 2023, Kong Derby winner Voyage Bubble is standing. Success there could lead to a occasional attempt at the Triple Crown for the older horse, culminating in the 2400m G1 Champions and Chater Cup in May.
“We’re going to give the Triple Crown a shot,” Yiu said. “In addition to his Derby win, he was second [Romantic Warrior] in the Gold Cup last year. This is a very good sign that he can easily cover this distance.
“We will see a lot more of the second leg to see if he can get to 2400 [metres]. There could also be some horses from overseas beyond the 2400.”
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
STEWARDS' CUP G1HK$13,000,000, Sha Tin, 1-19, 3yrs/over, 1600mT, 1:33.58, gd.
1–VOYAGE BUBBLE (AUS), 126, g, 6, by Deep Field (Aus)
1st mother: Raheights (Aus), by Rahy
2nd mother: Laoub, by Red Ransom
3rd mother: Lisieux, by Steady Growth
(A$380,000 Ylg '20 INGFEB). O-Sunshine And Moonlight Syndicate; B-Torryburn Stud (NSW); T Ricky Yiu; J James McDonald; HK$7,280,000. Lifetime record: 23-9-6-3, HK$77,872,475. *1/2 to Diddums (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), GSW-Aus, $164,688. Work Nick Rating: D+. Click for that eNicks report and 5-cross family tree or the Free catalog style pedigree from Equineline.com.
2–Galaxy Patch (Off)126, g, 5, Wandjina (Aus)–Voltara (Aus), by More Than Ready. (A$50,000 in MMMAR '21). O Yeung Kin Man; B-Summerset Park Stud (SA); T-Peter Ng; J Blake Shinn; HK$2,730,000.
3–Red Lion (Irish)126, g, 6, Belardo (Ire)–Crystal Idea (Ire), by Namid (GB). (€7,000 Ylg '20 TATDEC; £240,000 RNA HRA '22 GOFLON). O-The Hon Ronald Arculli GBM GBS JP & Johanna KJ Arculli BBS; B. P. Harney; T-John size; J Hugh Bowman; HK$1,495,000.
Margins: 2, 1, 1. Odds: 4-5, 11-5, 86-1.
Also running: Beauty Joy (Aus), Beauty Eternal (Aus), Chancheng Glory, Patch of Theta (Aus), California Spangle (Ire). Click for that HKJC chart, PPs And Section timing.
