Solid favorites won both group 1 features on the Sha Tin Racecourse program Jan. 19 with Ka Ying Rising providing a record performance in his victory in the Centenary Sprint Cup (G1) and Voyage Bubble doubling up in the Stewards' Cup (G1).
Both were returning from victories in the Hong Kong International Races in December.
While Voyage Bubble was impressive enough in winning the Stewards' Cup for the second straight year, Ka Ying Rising was the center ring of the circus.
Blasting out of the outside gate, jockey Zac Purton quickly got his mount to the lead and not only never looked back, but toured the 1,200 meters (about 6 furlongs) in 1:07.20, lowering the course record for the second time in his last three starts.
And that, despite being visibly geared down through the final 100 meters while winning by 3 1/4 lengths.
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Purton said he was determined to avoid a repeat of the Hong Kong Sprint (G1), which Ka Ying Rising won by "only " a half-length while dogging a slow pace.
"Jump, be positive and just work it out as we go," Purton described the plan. "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."
Trainer David Hayes said Ka Ying Rising will stick around Hong Kong for now to contest the local Speed Series races. Longer term, he is eyeing the Everest (G1) in Australia Oct. 18.
"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," the trainer said. "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."
While Ka Ying Rising was cementing his status among the local sprinters, Voyage Bubble was doing the same among the milers.
After relaxing behind the leaders in the 1,600-meter (about 1 mile) Stewards' Cup, jockey James McDonald gave him the go-ahead and he quickly put matters to rest, drawing off from the field to win unchallenged by two lengths.
"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."
Voyage Bubble was a 45-1 long shot winner of the 2023 Hong Kong Derby but, other than that, the 6-year-old has been a late bloomer. The back-to-back Stewards' Cup wins and December's Hong Kong Mile (G1) are the sum total of his top-level scores.
Now, trainer Ricky Yiu said he will give Voyage Bubble the chance to demonstrate some versatility on the Hong Kong Triple Crown trail, which next features the Hong Kong Gold Cup (G1) at 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles), then the Champions & Chater Cup (G1) at 2,400 meters (about 1 1/2 miles).
"We'll see a lot more from the second leg to see if he'll be able to get the 2,400. Over the 2,400 there could be some overseas horses as well," Yiu said.
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