“Romantic Warrior” leads the Hong Kong runners to a near sweep

More than two dozen foreign runners were registered for the four events of the Longines Hong Kong International Races on December 8, but as is often the case, locals walked away with most of the equipment and cash.

Hong Kong horses, including two local superstars, won three of the four races worth a total of HK$126 million (approximately US$16.2 million). Most of the time they made it look straightforward.

Jockey James McDonald was thrown into the irons when he looked back at the competition Romantic warrior galloped home first by 1 1/2 lengths in the day's event at Sha Tin Racecourse, the Hong Kong Cup (G1). The international champion got off to a polished start as he rolled from a pace-stalking position to his seventh consecutive overall win and recorded his third victory in the race.

This series includes six Group 1 races, including the Cox Plate (G1) in Australia and the Yasuda Kinen (G1) in Japan. He has broken many of Hong Kong's records and his owner will now point him towards the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) in February.

“It’s once in a lifetime,” winning coach Danny Shum said. “The owner (Peter Lau Pak Fai) wants to take the chance to take him to Saudi Arabia. Even if it’s a dirt race, he has to try.”

Romantic Warrior's triumph slightly overshadowed the Japanese filly's second place finish Freedom Island . She won the 2023 Japanese filly Triple Crown, finishing second equinox in the 2023 Japan Cup. A setback after a third-place finish in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1T) and a penniless run in their comeback in October preceded an attempt at play in the cup.

Ka Ying Rising wins the sprint

The Longines Hong Kong Sprint (G1) was almost a reverse image of the Cup. While Romantic Warrior had a dream ride from the inside gate, the local sprint star Ka Ying stands up started his bid from the unfavorable stand number 11.

Despite this handicap, Ka Ying Rising completed his rise to the top of Hong Kong's sprint ranks with a commanding victory. The 4-year-old Fresh Zealand gelding scored his eighth straight win but was first at Group 1 level, clocking a time of 1:08.15 – slightly shy of the course record of 1:07.43 he set at his had set up before the start.

With regular rider Zac Purton in the lead, Ka Ying Rising narrowly held on to the lead in the 1,200 meter sprint (approx. 6 furlongs). He was under pressure the whole time without cover, but when Purton asked him to, he delivered and went to the top with ease.

“People underestimate the way racing happens,” Purton said. “He expended energy throughout the entire race. His achievement is an honor for him.”

Coach David Hayes noted the “many unknowns” in each race, especially from an awkward starting position. “I was confident,” he said. “Maybe not as confident as the market,” making Ka Ying Rising the overwhelming favorite.

Hayes said his star will, all being well, take part in the Chairman's Sprint Prize (G1), Hong Kong's next major elite sprint, and then be considered for the Champions' Mile (G1) in April.

As is often the case, runners from Hong Kong dominated the finish of the sprint. Helios Express finished second for the home team with Japan Satono Rev As the only foreigner to reach the top four places, he came third. Starlust the reigning winner of the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1), finished 13th and was the winner of that race in 2023 Nobal was a scratch during race week with a fever.

Voyage Bubble floats to mileage score

Travel bubble scored another goal for the locals in the Longines Hong Kong Mile (G1).

After overtaking the early leader, the 6-year-old gelding took the lead midway through the course and didn't worry after that. Japan Soul rush made a bid and overtook several competitors in the final 100 meters but remained 1 1/4 lengths behind the winner. Beauty joy came third and Eternal beauty came fourth.

Trainer Ricky Yiu said he was confident in Voyage Bubble's chances after winning the preparation race.

“He’s a better horse than last year,” Yiu said. “Much more mature, very clever, a little taller. The course of the race really suited him.”

Voyage Bubble was a popular choice after winning the local preparation, the Jockey Club Mile. His CV also shows a second delay to the now retired one Golden sixty at last year's Hong Kong Mile and a win at the Steward's Cup (G1) in January.

Giavellotto keeps his distance in the vase

The Longines Hong Kong Vase (G1) is usually the main destination for travelers on Hong Kong's biggest day, if only because the 2,400 meters (about 1 1/2 miles) at Sha Tin is not often contested.

Since the national players are in charge and the outcome is questionable in the middle of the game, spear broke free from a tight field in the final 100 meters and won the Vase by 2 1/2 lengths Dubai honor. Stellenbosch came third with local runners It followed in the fourth.

Giavelloto, a 5-year-old from Master craftsman came into the Vase third in the Irish St. Leger (G1) and has fallen back in distance in most of his recent starts. Jockey Oisin Murphy left Giavelloto behind the leaders in the second flight and secured ground on the backstretch.

He was blocked at the end of the track, waited for space and shot through a gap to dominate the end.

“We got stopped,” Murphy said, “and sometimes you’re afraid you’re going to lose the race. Then when he had some space, he was explosive.”

Murphy mentioned Giavelloto's recent victory in the Princess of Wales's Stakes (G2), which also came over 2,400 meters of the Vase, and said: “As he gets older he gets sharper and a bit quicker.”

Coach Marco Botti said the owners plan to keep Giavellotto in training and keep an eye on the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) in March. As for the 2025 Breeders' Cup Turf, he said, “We're not ruling anything out.”