Romantic Warrior Leads Near-Sweep for Hong Kong Runners

More than two dozen foreign runners were entered for the four events in the Dec. 8 Longines Hong Kong International Races but, as often is the case, the locals made off with most of the hardware and hard cash. Hong Kong horses, including two local superstars, won three of the four races, worth an aggregate HK$126 million (about US$16.2 million). Mostly, they made it look easy. Jockey James McDonald was turned in the irons looking back for competition as Romantic Warrior (IRE) galloped home first by 1 1/2 lengths in the day's feature at Sha Tin Racecourse, the Hong Kong Cup (G1). The international champion had a smooth go of it as he rolled from a pace-stalking position to his seventh straight win overall and record third victory in the race. That streak includes six group 1 races, among them the Cox Plate (G1) in Australia and the Yasuda Kinen (G1) in Japan. He has smashed many of Hong Kong's records and his owner now will point him toward the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) in February. "He's once in a lifetime," said winning trainer Danny Shum. "The owner (Peter Lau Pak Fai) wants to take a chance to take him to Saudi Arabia. Even though it's a dirt race, he's got to try." Romantic Warrior's triumph slightly overshadowed the second-place finish of Japanese filly Liberty Island (JPN). She won the 2023 Japanese filly Triple Crown and finished second to Equinox (JPN) in the 2023 Japan Cup. A setback after a third in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1T) and a poor run in her comeback effort in October preceded a game try in the Cup. Ka Ying Rising Wins Sprint The running of the Longines Hong Kong Sprint (G1) was almost a reverse image of the Cup. While Romantic Warrior got a dream trip from the inside gate, local sprint star Ka Ying Rising (NZ) launched his bid from the disadvantageous No. 11 stall. Despite that handicap, Ka Ying Rising completed his rise to the top of the Hong Kong sprint ranks with a confident victory. Scoring his eighth straight win but first at the group 1 level, the 4-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding finished in 1:08.15—a bit short of the course record of 1:07.43 he established in his previous start. With regular rider Zac Purton up, Ka Ying Rising settled just off the lead in the 1,200 meters (about 6 furlongs) Sprint. He was under pressure all the way without cover but when Purton asked, he delivered, running smoothly to the lead. "People underestimate the way races come around," Purton said. "He was using energy throughout the race. His performance is a credit to him." Trainer David Hayes noted the "many unknowns" in any race, particularly from an unfavorable starting position. "I was confident," he said. "Perhaps not as confident as the market," which made Ka Ying Rising the overwhelming favorite. Hayes said his star, all being well, will contest the Chairman's Sprint Prize (G1), Hong Kong's next big top-level sprint, then be considered for the Champions' Mile (G1) in April. As often is the case, Hong Kong runners dominated the finish of the Sprint. Helios Express (AUS) was second for the home team with Japan's Satono Reve (JPN) in third as the only foreigner to crack the top four placings. Starlust (GB), the reigning Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) winner, finished 13th and that race's 2023 winner Nobals was a race-week scratch with a fever. Voyage Bubble Floats to Mile Score Voyage Bubble (AUS) scored another one for the locals in the Longines Hong Kong Mile (G1). After shadowing the early leader, the 6-year-old gelding seized the lead at mid-stretch and wasn't troubled after that. Japan's Soul Rush (JPN), put in a bid and passed several rivals in the final 100 meters but came up 1 1/4 lengths shy of the winner. Beauty Joy (AUS) was third and Beauty Eternal (AUS) was placed fourth. Trainer Ricky Yiu said he was confident in Voyage Bubble's chances after the prep race win. "He's a better horse than last year," Yiu said. "A lot more mature, very smart, a little bigger. The way the race went suited him a lot." Voyage Bubble was a popular choice after winning the local prep, the Jockey Club Mile. His resume also includes a second behind the now-retired Golden Sixty (AUS) in last year's Hong Kong Mile and a win in the Steward's Cup (G1) in January. Giavellotto Goes the Distance in Vase The Longines Hong Kong Vase (G1) usually is the primary target for travelers to Hong Kong's biggest day, if only because the 2,400 meters (about 1 1/2 miles) is not frequently contested at Sha Tin. With the internationals firmly in charge and the outcome at doubt in mid-stretch, Giavellotto (IRE) burst free from a tight pack in the final 100 meters to win the Vase by 2 1/2 lengths from Dubai Honor (IRE). Stellenbosch (JPN) was third with local runner Ensued in fourth. Giavelloto, a 5-year-old by Mastercraftsman (IRE), entered the Vase off a third in the Irish St. Leger (G1) and was dropping back in distance from most of his recent starts. Jockey Oisin Murphy settled Giavelloto in the second flight behind the leaders and saved ground down the backstretch. He was blocked at the top of the stretch, waited for room and shot through a gap to dominate the late going. "We got stopped," Murphy said, "and sometimes you're worried the race will get away from you. Then, where he got some room, he was explosive." Murphy noted Giavelloto's last victory, in the Princess of Wales's Stakes (G2) also came at the 2,400 meters of the Vase and said, "As he's getting older, he's getting sharper and a little bit faster." Trainer Marco Botti said the owners plan to keep Giavellotto in training with and eye on the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) in March. The 2025 Breeders' Cup Turf, he said, "We don't rule anything out."