by Dick Powell The FWD Champions Day will be held on Sunday, April 26 at Sha Tin Racecourse. The three Group 1 stakes races attracted the usual stellar international fields despite the strength of the home team. As nearly all of the top races run around the world, they are part of the World Pool with betting commingled from 27 countries.  The G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (US$ 3,064,272) will be run at 1200 meters (approximately six furlongs) and is basically Ka Ying Rising against the world. The winner of his last 19 starts has dominated local sprinters but will have to contend with Japanese star Satono Reve who ran second to him last year. Donnacha O’Brien ships in with Comanche Brave and even though he looks like he is in over his head, remember O’Brien won the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at 20 – 1 odds last year.  Stretching out another quarter mile, the G1 FWD Champions Mile (US$ 3,064,272) has attracted a full field of 14 and the highest rated domestic runner, Voyage Bubble, faces the equal highest rated international runner, Jantar Mantar from Japan. The winner of four group one stakes races, Jantar Mantar, a son of G1 Met Mile winner Palace Malice, won the G1 Mile Championship last out in November in brilliant time when he overcame post 15 in an 18-runner field. He ran poorly here two years ago but has done little wrong since then. Voyage Bubble gets some relief by avoiding Romantic Warrior but is winless in three starts this year. He did win the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile in December so the class is there and he has enough speed to avoid traffic. Docklands was beaten 2 ½ lengths by Voyage Bubble in December but shows a terrific win at Royal Ascot going this distance.  Since 2000, only two international runners have won the Mile so the locals have that in their favor. Post positions and traffic will be the key to success. A field of nine will contest the US$ 3,830,340 G1 FWD QEII Cup going 2000 meters (approximately 1 ¼ miles). Romantic Warrior has won this race three times but is facing a stern test from the internationals. Masquerade Ball is the highest rated runner in the field and shows a win at this distance two starts back in Japan. Last out, he was nosed out by Calandagan who has now won five straight group one stakes including the G1 Sheema Classic last out. Masquerade Ball will be flying late with Christophe Lemaire back in the saddle.  Romantic Warrior has done nothing wrong since returning to the races in November and is an incredible 14 for 16 at the distance. Masterfully handled by Danny Shum, he is better than ever at the age of seven. Sosie won the G1 Hong Kong Vase going 2400 meters back in December and does his best on firm ground. Trainer Andre Fabre is a regular visitor to the Sha Tin winner’s circle as is rider Maxime Guyon. A strong pace will help his chances. I’m looking for Ka Ying Rising to extend his winning streak to 20 in the Sprint. Satono Reve will be a worthy second. The Mile poses a much tougher test with a big field going around one, right-hand turn. Jantar Mantar will be hard to beat no matter where he draws. To complete the international theme, I’m looking for Sosie to beat Romantic Warrior and Masquerade Ball in the QEII.