Romantic Warrior, Record-Setting Ka Ying Rising Star On HKIR Trials Day

Reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) and emerging sprint star Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) laid down their markers for the Longines Hong Kong International Races meeting in three weeks' time with arrogant victories in Sunday's G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup and G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint at Sha Tin Racecourse, respectively. The second-named saw the 1200-metre course record, held for the last 17 years by the outstanding Sacred Kingdom (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}), come tumbling down in a sublime performance from one of the world's top sprinters.

A 300,000gns graduate of the 2019 Tattersalls October sale, Romantic Warrior was having his first run since taking out the G1 Yasuda Kinen in Tokyo June 2, the form of which was franked a few hours earlier when the third home that afternoon, Soul Rush (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}), proved an impressive winner of the G1 Mile Championship at Kyoto.

First to break the line, Romantic Warrior was a forward factor into the first bend while a fraction keen, then settled in midfield as Sword Point (Aus) (American Pharoah) rolled up to see them off turning up the backstretch. Enjoying a rail-skimming trip throughout, the 6-year-old was gently ridden along 800 metres out to pinch a bit of ground on the second bend, and he was steered out into the four path nearing the straight. Beating Money Catcher (NZ) (Ferlax {NZ}) to that spot, Romantic Warrior went to Sword Point with about 300 metres to travel and enjoyed a pat down his neck from James McDonald while well clear, saving something for the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup on Dec. 8. Ka Ying Generation (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) made it an Irish-bred 1-2, while Nimble Nimbus (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) got home just ahead of Ensued (Lemon Drop Kid) for third.

Fresh off another monstrous Melbourne Cup carnival, McDonald is back in Hong Kong for a five-week stint, and clearly remains in awe of Romantic Warrior.

“He's like the prize fighter, isn't he? Heavyweight champion of the world,” McDonald said. “You never really get nervous on him because he's so good. He's an incredible horse. I love him to bits and he's very good”

“You still got to go out and do it and (from) barrier one, you're dictated to a little bit but he's just so good–he can get you out of situations that other horses can't. Just a phenomenal horse, I'm so proud of him. He's come back in terrific order, he never lets you down ever and he's just got this amazing will to win. It's something I've never come across.”

Trainer Danny Shum will vaccinate Romantic Warrior for a potential Middle East sojourn following the Hong Kong Cup, to include possible appearances in the G1 Saudi Cup and G1 Dubai World Cup. Romantic Warrior's first two dams are by World Cup winners.

“It will be tough for him and the team not only in the next few weeks, but the next six months,” Shum said. “If he runs good on Dec. 8, the owner, Peter (Lau), is really keen to go (overseas). He deserves to have try. It's once-in-a-lifetime.”

Victory today lifts Romantic Warrior's earnings to HK$154.92 million… or US$19.89 million… 🤑

He's now HK$12.24 million shy of Golden Sixty's 🌏 record mark of HK$167.17 million… @mcacajamez | #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/WWcyWaKdPJ

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) November 17, 2024

Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
BOCHK JOCKEY CLUB CUP-G2, HK$5,350,000, Sha Tin, 11-17, 3yo/up, 2000mT, 1:59.70, gd.
1–ROMANTIC WARRIOR (IRE), 128, g, 6, by Acclamation (GB)
1st Dam: Folk Melody (Ire), by Street Cry (Ire)
2nd Dam: Folk Opera (Ire), by Singspiel (Ire)
3rd Dam: Skiphall (GB), by Halling
(300,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT; HK$4,800,000 HRA '21 HKJUN). O-Peter Lau; B-Corduff Stud & T J Rooney; T-Danny Shum; J-James McDonald; HK$2,996,000. Lifetime Record: Horse of the Year, 2x. Ch. Middle Distance Horse, Ch. 4yo & MG1SW-HK, G1SW-Jpn & Aus, 21-16-3-0, HK$154,922,706. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Ka Ying Generation (Ire), 123, g, 4, Churchill (Ire)–War Goddess (Ire), by Champs Elysees (GB). O-Happy Ka Ying Syndicate; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd; T-Pierre Ng; J-Andrea Atzeni; HK$1,123,500.
3–Nimble Nimbus (NZ), 123, g, 7, Sacred Falls (NZ)–Marahau (NZ), by Pins (Aus). (NZ$100,000 Ylg '19 NZBJAN). O-Jason Chan; B-Waikato Stud Ltd; T-Ricky Yiu; J-Jerry Chau; HK$615,250.
Margins: 4 1/4, NK, NO. Odds: 1-10, 32-1, 67-1.
Also Ran: Ensued, Encountered (Ire), Money Catcher (NZ), La City Blanche (Arg), Five G Patch (Ire), Sword Point (Aus), Awesome Fluke (Aus), Winning Dragon (Chi). Click for the HKJC chart, PPs and sectional timing. VIDEO.

A 'Rising' Force

It has been 22 years since legendary trainer David Hayes sent out his only winner to date at the International Races meeting when All Thrills Too (Aus) (St Covet {Aus}) validated $3.90 (29-10) favouritism in the Hong Kong Sprint. In the form of Ka Ying Rising, he'll be sending out a much shorter-priced proposition to add to that total after the 4-year-old shaved 0.07 seconds off Sacred Kingdom's course record set in the G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint in 2007.

“You've got to be pretty good to get the course record at Sha Tin when you see all these wonderful, promising horses racing on fast ground,” said Hayes. “To have your horse in the book is a bit of a thrill.”

Off at a dime on the dollar while in search of his seventh win on the trot, Ka Ying Rising was ridden aggressively from stall 10 by Zac Purton, but was content to ease back into third and allow Victor the Winner (Aus) (Toronado {Ire})–a Group 1 winner locally and placed at the top level in Japan–to take up the running into the turn. Eyeballing that rival and the pace-pressing Copartner Prance (Aus) (Epaulette {Aus}) approaching the entrance to the straight, the chalk ambled up to them with Purton swinging off him and when given his cue at the 300 metres, opening an unassailable advantage, allowing Purton a chance to admire the horse power underneath him with a premature salute.

“I knew it was a track record, so I thought I would seal it with a kiss,” Purton said of his celebration. “It's getting scary now how good he's becoming and how easily he's doing it. It's a nice top-up run for the big one next month.

“He's just perfect to ride. He's got great gate speed, he relaxes beautifully mid-race and he's got a great turn of foot–it's everything you need in a sprinter. He hasn't won at Group 1 level yet, so he's still got to do a bit.”

Record breakers! 😉#LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/pwqvfeqCQg

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) November 17, 2024

Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
BOCHK PRIVATE BANKING JOCKEY CLUB SPRINT-G2, HK$5,350,000, Sha Tin, 11-17, 3yo/up, 1200mT, 1:07.43 (NCR), gd.
1–KA YING RISING (NZ), 123, g, 4, by Shamexpress (NZ)
1st Dam: Missy Moo (NZ), by Per Incanto
2nd Dam: Royal Rhythm (NZ), by Rhythm
3rd Dam: Her Dynasty (NZ), by Sir Tristram (Ire)
O-Ka Ying Syndicate; B-Grandmoral Lodge Racing; T-David Hayes; J-Zac Purton; HK$2,996,000. Lifetime Record: 10-8-2-0, HK$16,537,200. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Howdeepisyourlove (Aus), 123, g, 5, Deep Field (Aus)–My Shabella (Aus), by Haradasun (Aus). (A$270,000 Ylg '21 INGFEB). O-Lo Profile Syndicate; B-P Sweeney (Qld); T-John Size; J-James McDonald; HK$1,123,500.
3–Helios Express (Aus), 123, g, 5, Toronado (Ire)–Paris Texas (Aus), by Hinchinbrook (Aus). O-Andy Yung; B-C Wells (WA); T-John Size; J-Hugh Bowman; HK$615,250.
Margins: 3 1/4, NO, 1 3/4. Odds: 15-100, 35-1, 13-1.
Also Ran: Beauty Waves (Ire), Invincible Sage (Aus), Lucky With You (Aus), Victor the Winner (Aus), California Spangle (Ire), Flying Ace (NZ), Majestic Knight (Aus), Copartner Prance (Aus), Mugen (Aus). Click for the HKJC chart, PPs and sectional timing. VIDEO.

Galaxy Patch Watches 'Bubble' Burst

Galaxy Patch (Aus) (Wandjina {Aus}) is the heir-apparent to Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) in the local mile division, but Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}) put a bit of a dent into his lofty reputation with a mild upset in Sunday's G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile.

Having earned elite-level glory in last year's Stewards' Cup and placings in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile and G1 FWD Champions Mile, Voyage Bubble was sent off as the $3.50 (5-2) clear market rival to Galaxy Patch ($1.70) and jumped well from an outside alley before setting up camp just off the flank of Champions Mile hero Beauty Eternal (Aus) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}). Galaxy Patch was off to a slow start and anchored himself towards the back of the pack for the run down the back.

Three wide with cover after being asked to move early by Vincent Ho, Galaxy Patch looked to steady off heels midway on the turn and was flushed four deep as Voyage Bubble and McDonald waited to make their move. Easily claiming the front-runner in upper stretch, Voyage Bubble opened a good break and was never in serious danger as perfect-trip Chancheng Glory (Mor Spirit) turned in a characteristically honest effort for second. Galaxy Patch was forced to settle for third.

“We think there is still a little something left in him left to come,” winning trainer Ricky Yiu said. “Yes (I was confident). Even though he finished second (first-up), I think he was only 75 or 80% fit and that (the) race would bring him on.

“James knows him really well and with a small field we made the right decision to bring him forward and travel in a positive position. He managed to win it in quite comfortable style.”

Business! Voyage Bubble is back in the winner's circle… 👏#LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/x5lo4VNaaJ

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) November 17, 2024

Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
BOCHK PRIVATE WEALTH JOCKEY CLUB MILE-G2, HK$5,350,000, Sha Tin, 11-17, 3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:32.82, gd.
1–VOYAGE BUBBLE (AUS), 128, g, 6, by Deep Field (Aus)
1st Dam: Raheights (Aus), by Rahy
2nd Dam: Laoub, by Red Ransom
3rd Dam: 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$2,996,000. Lifetime Record: G1SW-HK, 21-7-6-3, HK$50,432,475. *1/2 to Diddums (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), GSW-Aus, $164,688. Werk Nick Rating: D+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Chancheng Glory, 123, g, 4, Mor Spirit–Solid Scam, by Consolidator. ($50,000 Wlg '20 KEENOV; $110,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP; $220,000 RNA 2yo '22 OBSMAR). O-Chancheng Racing Syndicate; B-H Allen Poindexter (IA); T-Francis Lui; J-Karis Teetan; HK$1,123,500.
3–Galaxy Patch (Aus), 123, g, 4, Wandjina (Aus)–Voltara (Aus), by More Than Ready. (A$50,000 Ylg '2 MMMAR). O-Yeung Kin Man; B-Summerset Park Stud (SA); T-Pierre Ng; J-Vincent Ho; HK$615,250.
Margins: 3/4, 1 1/4, 1. Odds: 5-2, 10-1, 7-10.
Also Ran: Happy Together (Ire), Beauty Joy (Aus), Straight Arron (Aus), Taj Dragon (Ire), Beauty Eternal (Aus), Red Lion (Aus). Click for the HKJC chart, PPs and sectional timing. VIDEO.