VOYAGE BUBBLE demonstrated his championship credentials with a commanding victory in the HK$13 million G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, overcoming mid-race trouble to score in emphatic fashion under James McDonald. Less than 24 hours after guiding ROMANTIC WARRIOR to a gallant second in the G1 Saudi Cup (1800m, dirt) in Riyadh, McDonald found himself in another high-stakes battle, this time aboard the deep field gelding.
The race did not unfold smoothly for the pair. Near the 800m mark, VOYAGE BUBBLE clipped heels and was shuffled back to second-last in the 10-horse field, leaving him with significant ground to make up. But McDonald remained composed, biding his time before threading his mount through a narrow opening at the 300m. From there, VOYAGE BUBBLE surged clear with a decisive turn of foot, pulling away from ENSUED to score by nearly four lengths, with CHANCHENG GLORY taking third. The winning time was recorded at 2m 00.59s.
McDonald was full of praise for his partner’s resilience, acknowledging the challenges they had to overcome. “It wasn’t smooth sailing, but he’s a great racehorse. I’m lucky to have him as a partner because he got me out of a sticky situation,” he said. “It was a muddling race, but he overcame many obstacles to win in great style. We might have even discovered a new way of riding him. He’s not a one-trick pony—he’s got so many strings to his bow.”
With this victory, VOYAGE BUBBLE remains on course for the coveted HK$10 million Triple Crown bonus. Having already claimed the G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) and Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup, he now needs to capture the G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) on 25 May to become only the second horse to complete the sweep since RIVER VERDON achieved the feat in the 1993/94 season.
McDonald acknowledged the challenge ahead but expressed confidence in VOYAGE BUBBLE’s ability to handle the step up in distance. “That’s another pain barrier he has to push through, but he’s a great racehorse. We saw last night with ROMANTIC WARRIOR how tough these Hong Kong horses are. They fly the flag wherever they go, and I have no doubt he’s up for it.”
Trainer Ricky Yiu, celebrating his first Group 1 success with VOYAGE BUBBLE over 2000m, shared a cautious optimism about stretching him to 2400m. “I’m a bit optimistic about running him over that trip, but before James takes off tonight, we’re going to have a little celebration and discuss our next steps. I’m pretty optimistic—we’ll take the challenge.”
Meanwhile, John Size strengthened his grip on the Hong Kong trainers’ championship, drawing level with David Hayes at 32 wins for the season but edging ahead on minor placings. His remarkable four-win haul at Sha Tin included victories with SKY JEWELLERY, CROSSBORDERPEGASUS, JUNEAU PRIDE and BRILLIANT EXPRESS.
Hugh Bowman reached a personal milestone with his 200th Hong Kong victory, steering the promising three-year-old SKY JEWELLERY to success in the Class 4 Citigold Private Client Handicap (1400m). Despite jumping from the wide barrier 13, the gelding produced an electrifying finish from second-last to secure the win. “He was unlucky last start, but he’s shown plenty of potential,” Bowman said. “He had to overcome the wide draw today, and he did it in style.”
Size also struck with CROSSBORDERPEGASUS, a debut-winning three-year-old by RICH ENUFF, in the Class 4 Citigold Handicap (1200m), while JUNEAU PRIDE and BRILLIANT EXPRESS added further to his tally under Brenton Avdulla and Alexis Badel, respectively.
Badel completed a riding double with a well-judged victory aboard Frankie Lor’s TRIUMPHANT MORE in the Class 3 Citi Investment Services Handicap (1200m), while Australian jockey Blake Shinn continued his rich vein of form with a late-finishing triumph aboard Cody Mo’s MAGIC CONTROL in the Class 2 Citi Private Bank Handicap (1000m). “That wasn’t the plan to sit back, but the speed was fast, and he wanted to settle,” Shinn said. “With the weight, he needed all the favours, and he displayed a great turn of foot.”
Chris So and Keagan De Melo combined for an upset victory with CARRYON SMILING in the Class 4 Citi Wealth Handicap (1400m), the WAR DECREE gelding overcoming a wide draw to salute at 83/1. Brenton Avdulla wrapped up proceedings with a well-timed ride aboard David Eustace-trained MISTER DAPPER in the Class 4 Citi Ultima Handicap (1600m).
Hong Kong racing now shifts to Happy Valley on Wednesday night (26 February) for the highly anticipated finale of the DBS X Manulife Millions Challenge.
