Cover image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Hong Kong’s Champions Day delivered on its promise of international rivalry and thrilling racing, with a boilover in the G1 Champions Mile and a G1 Everest star in the making in the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize. However, the day was marred by the loss of Japanese Triple Tiara winner Liberty Island (JPN) (Duramente {Jpn}), daughter of dual Group 1-winning Yankee Rose (All American), who was euthanised after being pulled up in the G1 QEII Cup.
Ka Ying Rising is indomitable in Sprint Prize victory
The Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) train kept on rolling on Sunday afternoon when David Hayes’ stable star steamrolled the opposition in the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize at Sha Tin.
Dropped into the perfect spot by Zac Purton from the jump, the gelding waited patiently for the pack to straighten out of the home turn before rolling forward and away. Satono Reve (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) and Helios Express (Toronado {Ire}) gave chase, but they were no match for Ka Ying Rising’s blistering turn of foot, putting them away by 2.25l despite Purton easing him up over the last 50 metres.
“What more can you say?,” Purton said post-race. “Every time he (Ka Ying Rising) comes out here, he produces something special. He did that again today, and he didn’t even change his leg. He puts them away very quickly.
“Every time he (Ka Ying Rising) comes out here, he produces something special.” - Zac Purton
“I applaud the Japanese, they’re willing to travel and take anyone around the world on, and you’ve got to give them credit for that. But they were playing second fiddle to him today.”
It was the gelding’s 12th straight win - and 13th win from 15 starts -and fifth career Group 1 victory. In addition, he collected a tidy $HK5 million ($1 million) bonus for winning all three legs of the HKJC Speed Series.
Ka Ying Rising (NZ) winning the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Hayes admitted it was somewhat of a relief to clinch the victory.
“I only get nervous with him,” he said. “I don’t with any other horse, but I’ve never saddled up dollar zero chances in Group 1s before. It is a very different feeling. It’s great to have it, I wouldn’t swap it for the world, but it is nerve-wracking.”
“I only get nervous with him (Ka Ying Rising). I don’t with any other horse, but I’ve never saddled up dollar zero chances in Group 1s before.” - David Hayes
Hayes was effusive with praise for Purton’s foot perfect ride in a highly talented field.
“He got a brilliant ride from Zac,” he said. “They hit the front early and put the race away. What a good horse. Ka Ying Rising is a freak of nature.”
Ka Ying Rising will head for the paddock now, before a tilt at the G1 Everest in the spring. Hayes related that the Hong Kong Jockey Club will most likely negotiate for their own slot, and that a decision was yet to be made as to whether the superstar would head to the lucrative race fresh, or have a lead-in race.
Gallery: Images courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
“It would be nice for Hong Kong to see their cult-hero, because they won't be seeing him again until December,” he said. “We can't wait. This will be the big challenge, going back home with a superstar. I just want to show Australia how good he is.”
“This will be the big challenge, going back home with a superstar. I just want to show Australia how good he (Ka Ying Rising) is.” - David Hayes
Hayes trained a double for the day, winning the opening race on the card with Youth Power (Ity) (Blu Constellation {Ity}).
Red Lion snatches the Champions Mile from Voyage Bubble
The G1 Champions Mile went down to the wire at Sha Tin on Sunday, and it was a moment of redemption for John Size’s Red Lion (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}), who finished second in the event last year to Beauty Eternal (Starspangledbanner).
Despite finishing third last year, Voyage Bubble’s (Deep Field) romp through the 2024/25 season saw him start as favourite under James McDonald, but Hugh Bowman was undeterred by Red Lion starting at $101. Crossing from the wide gate in the first 400 metres, Bowman took the gelding to the front of the pack and maintained the tempo round the home turn.
Voyage Bubble loomed as they approached the final furlong, but Red Lion proved too good, thrusting his head in front to grab the win in a dramatic photo finish - all the more dramatic for Sunlight Power (Capitalist) flying home along the inside to claim third.
Lindsay Park’s raider Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) uncharacteristically overraced and faded to last in the event, with Royal Patronage (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) only going one place better.
A protest was lodged based on Red Lion’s wobble in the home straight - but the stewards found in favour of the 6-year-old son of Belardo (Ire), and the crowd roared as his victory was affirmed.
“I’ve got to say, I didn’t really expect to win,” Bowman said. “But the fact he has is no surprise. He ran second in the race last year.”
Red Lion (Ire) and Voyage Bubble for the G1 Champions Mile | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
It was the strength of last year’s performance that gave Bowman 12 months of optimism leading into Sunday’s race.
“I’ve ridden him a lot, and I know him very well, and I’m so proud of him. Congratulations to John (Size) and to the ownership group. He’s such a consistent horse, and he’s a worthy Group 1 winner. I’m a bit lost for words to be honest.
“He’s (Red Lion) such a consistent horse, and he’s a worthy Group 1 winner. I’m a bit lost for words to be honest.” - Hugh Bowman
“I didn’t really expect to lead, but credit to John and his team, they’ve turned him out in fantastic order. A little bit of moisture assisted his chances. I’m just so proud of him.”
It was a particularly special win for owner Hon Ronald Arculli; the former Hong Kong Jockey Club chairman was on course with his wife Johanna Arculli to witness Red Lion's well deserved victory.
Hugh Bowman and Red Lion (Ire) after winning the G1 Champions Mile | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Damien Lane steers Japanese raider Tastiera to QEII victory
It was a Japanese-trained quinella in the G1 QEII Cup on Sunday, with Damien Lane prevailing on Satono Crown (Jpn) entire Tastiera (Jpn) over perennial Sha Tin bridesmaid Prognosis (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who was hoping to step out of the long shadow cast over his career by Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}).
The Noriyuki Hori-trained 5-year-old was sent out second favourite, with Kiwi raider El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) setting the pace in the 2000-metre event. Unable to sustain his momentum up front, El Vencedor started to drift backwards once into the straight, opening the front up for Tastiera, who had been creeping around the outside. The entire launched away over the final 200 metres to score by 1.75l, handing Hori his sixth Group 1 victory in Hong Kong.
Tastiera (Jpn) winning the G1 QEII Cup | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
“Noriyuki Hori is an amazing conditioner of horses and this horse is just a star,” Lane said post-race. “I have had great success for (owners) Carrot Farm and to win for them again is a privilege.
“Noriyuki Hori is an amazing conditioner of horses and this horse is just a star.” - Damien Lane
"He has really matured since I rode him in December (in the G1 Hong Kong Cup) and he has grown into a strong boy now. He was really impressive today.”
It was a second career Group 1 for Tastiera, who was Japan's Champion 3YO Colt in 2023 after his victory in the G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby). It was also Hori's second win in the event; he previously took out the QEII in 2017 with Neorealism (Jpn), also owned by Carrot Farm.
“I’m very, very grateful for all the support from the Jockey Club to travel to Hong Kong and give us a great opportunity to come over here,” Hori said. “It’s been a while since my last runner in Hong Kong, but I’m very grateful to win today. In my stable, only Maurice won on his first trip to Hong Kong.
“Since Tastiera’s third in the Hong Kong Cup, we targeted this race, considering he was suitable to the track conditions and change in environment.”
Tastiera (Jpn) and Damien Lane after winning the G1 QEII Cup | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Prognosis came charging home into second for trainer Mitsumasa Nakauchida, whose star mare Liberty Island sustained interference in the home straight and was pulled up by jockey Yuga Kawada. She was euthanised shortly after on vet's advice.
Speaking on Luck On Sunday, Hong Kong Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said, “I am glad that people bring their horses here, and being a horse owner myself, you know when you have an incident like this and you lose a (treble) Classic winner, it is something which is very emotional. I have talked to our Japanese friends and it is going to take some time for them to overcome this.”
