Yiu banking on Sunlight Power to shine in Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup

By Paul Ryding

Ricky Yiu is optimistic that Sunlight Power can build on a solid performance in Group 1 company last time out and run into the prize money in the HK$13 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) on Sunday (22 February).

The Hong Kong handler, who has already enjoyed Group 1 success this season after stable star Voyage Bubble’s triumph in the HK$36 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m), conceded that victory in Sunday’s feature race might be unrealistic given he will line up against the world’s leading sprinter, Ka Ying Rising, but that he is hopeful Sunlight Power can give a good account of himself at Sha Tin.

“He’s doing really, very well,” Yiu said. “He’s holding his condition perfectly.”

The 2019/20 Hong Kong Champion Trainer said his charge had returned to Hong Kong in strong condition following a spell at Conghua.

“I think he’s a horse that enjoys himself in Conghua. I saw his gallop this morning (16 February) and I couldn’t fault him,” Yiu added.

The six-year-old outperformed market expectations when finishing fourth at odds of 52/1, three and a half lengths behind winner Romantic Warrior in last month’s HK$13 million G1 Stewards Cup (1600m), a performance that boosted his career prize money to HK$14.32 million.

Sunday’s race will be his third attempt at Group 1 level, having also finished third in last season’s HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m), just half a length behind the winner, Red Lion, who he will face again on Sunday.

The Capitalist gelding, who has six wins, three seconds and six thirds from 30 runs, also finished runner-up in the G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) under Hollie Doyle earlier this season, his best Group performance to date. However, Yiu said he can be forgiven for the run that preceded it – a disappointing 13th, easing down in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile.

“I’ll be happy if we finish second, third, fourth,” Yiu said. “It was a good run last time, and the run before – just forget about that. But the last one was good. Hopefully, he can continue to perform.”

Four of Sunlight Power’s victories have come at 1400m, though he has campaigned predominantly over a mile in the last 12 months. Sunday’s field features several rivals who are usually seen over shorter distances, including Ka Ying Rising, Helios Express and Raging Blizzard.

The G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup serves as the second leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series. Ka Ying Rising is looking to stay on course for a clean sweep, having prevailed in the HK$13 million G1 Centenary Cup Sprint (1200m) last run. The final leg of the series is the HK$24 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) on 26 April.

The other entries in Sunday’s 10-horse field are Copartner Prance, Galaxy Patch, Helios Express, Ka Ying Rising, Lucky Sweynesse, Packing Hermod, Patch Of Theta, Raging Blizzard and Red Lion.