Veteran trainer Ricky Yiu is gearing up for one of the most significant race days of the season as he prepares a powerful team for the upcoming FWD Champions Day on April 27 at Sha Tin. With a wealth of experience training elite horses since the mid-1990s, Yiu brings confidence and quiet optimism into this high-stakes event, with the spotlight on his star contenders, Voyage Bubble and Straight Arron, both of whom are chasing top-tier success.
Yiu’s storied career includes guiding some of Hong Kong’s finest sprinters and milers to Group 1 triumphs. His current standout, Voyage Bubble, has evolved into a force within the local racing circuit, dominating the mile and middle-distance categories this season. The gelding’s consistency has been unmatched, especially during a period when some key rivals have been campaigning abroad. Now six years old and a product of Deep Field, Voyage Bubble seeks to continue his winning streak by targeting the HK$24 million Champions Mile.
Owned by the Sunshine And Moonlight Syndicate, Voyage Bubble has amassed an enviable haul this campaign, winning all but one of his five starts. His victories have come across a range of elite contests, including the prestigious LONGINES Hong Kong Mile, the Stewards’ Cup, the Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup, and the BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile. Each of these wins has further solidified his reputation as one of the most consistent performers in Hong Kong racing today.
As the race day approaches, the gelding’s form remains sharp. He recently completed a turf trial at Sha Tin over 1600 metres with a solid performance, signalling readiness for the upcoming challenge. Yiu, closely monitoring his charge’s condition, remains satisfied with Voyage Bubble’s mental and physical health. Known for his composed demeanour and healthy appetite, the horse has responded positively to his recent training sessions, indicating that he is primed for another top-level performance.
This year’s Champions Mile field includes several overseas contenders, most notably Mr Brightside, a nine-time Group 1 victor from Australia, along with Gaia Force, Lake Forest, and Goemon. While international challengers bring undeniable talent, Yiu believes racing on home turf gives his stable a strategic edge. He acknowledges the unpredictable nature of racing but remains confident in Voyage Bubble’s abilities, especially under familiar conditions.
With wins in the Stewards’ Cup and Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup already secured, Voyage Bubble also has the rare chance to complete the Hong Kong Triple Crown, a feat last achieved over three decades ago. Should connections opt to contest the final leg in May—the 2400m Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup—they would be in contention for a substantial bonus reserved for the Triple Crown winner.
Yiu’s presence on Champions Day isn’t limited to one horse. Straight Arron enters the HK$28 million FWD QEII Cup with rising confidence following a surprise victory in the Chairman’s Trophy at long odds. The gelding, by Fastnet Rock, appears better suited to longer trips, and Yiu is keen to see how he handles the step back up in distance. Having finished less than a length behind Romantic Warrior in last year’s Hong Kong Cup, Straight Arron has shown he can compete with the best.
In addition to the big names, Yiu also brings forward Sunlight Power, a multiple Class 2 winner, in the Champions Mile. His lineup reflects both depth and quality, underscoring the stable’s strength this season. Yiu, who has recorded 37 wins so far, maintains momentum with more runners midweek at Happy Valley.
Among them is Eason, a consistent galloper with five wins in Hong Kong to his name. Scheduled to run in the Class 3 Violet Handicap, Eason is partnered with Hugh Bowman, a jockey familiar with the horse’s quirks and strengths. Despite narrow defeats recently, the pair will be aiming to break through again. Also competing is Giant Leap, who steps up to Class 3 under Andrea Atzeni after a stylish win in a lower division. Although drawn wider, Yiu remains optimistic about his chances given the small field and the horse’s consistency.
The Happy Valley meeting on April 16 begins with the Aster Handicap and spans nine races. For Ricky Yiu, the week represents both an opportunity and a test of his stable’s depth, as he eyes more success at both midweek and the grand stage of Champions Day.
