By Declan Schuster
The LONGINES Hong Kong International Races are officially in the rear-view mirror, and now the focus switches to the coming months when the three-race Four-Year-Old Classic Series, Triple Crown and Hong Kong Speed Series all commence.
Paul Lally
R1 1-2-4-5
R2 2-3-8-11
R3 4-6-10-2
R4 1-6-9-5
R5 6-8-2-1
R6 8-2-10-7
R7 7-4-6-10
R8 6-7-2-9
R9 3-2-10-6
Best Bet R6 N8 China Win
Longshot R9 N3 Young Emperor
Play R3 QQP 4-6-10
Mark McNamara
R1 2.10.1.4
R2 2.11.4.8
R3 4.9.6.3
R4 1.2.11.6
R5 6.2.7.5
R6 2.10.5.8
R7 2.9.4.5
R8 7.6.2.5
R9 2.1.4.6
The legend of Ka Ying Rising continues to grow.
On Sunday at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong, Ka Ying Rising won his 16th consecutive race in the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint. The victory did not require a major effort.
Ridden by Zac Purton, Ka Ying Rising took the lead shortly after the start of the six-furlong race and was never troubled, winning by 3 3/4 lengths over 112-1 Raging Blizzard. Fast Network (39-1) finished third.
When Star Anise finished second by a neck in the Grade 3 Chukyo Nisai Stakes in Japan on Aug. 31, a frustrated jockey in Kohei Matsuyama wanted another chance on the 2-year-old filly.
Matsuyama’s opportunity occurred in Sunday’s Grade 1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies at Hanshin Racecourse. Matsuyama made the most of the situation.
By Maddy Playle
Voyage Bubble proved he more than belonged on the billing for the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races alongside two greats when a herculean winner of the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) on Sunday (14 December).
He may not have the same magnetic allure as local legends Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior, but last season’s Triple Crown winner more than did his bit to contribute to a wonderful day at Sha Tin by fighting off the challenge of Soul Rush and landing his second HK$36 million LONGINES Hong Kong Mile.
On paper, Romantic Warrior could not lose Sunday's Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin Racecourse. And through the first mile of the 2,000-meter contest, Romantic Warrior travelled like a sure winner. Four gentle pops of jockey James McDonald’s crop later, and Romantic Warrior, already the only three-time Cup winner, had his fourth.
Alankar has her stakes debut in Sunday’s Grade 1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies at Hanshin Racecourse in Japan, the sort of race expected considering her pedigree.
By Epiphaneia, Alankar is out of Sinhalite, the winner of the Grade 1 Japanese 1000 Guineas and Grade 1 Japanese Oaks in consecutive starts in 2016. Sinhalite is out of the British-bred Singhalese, who won the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks in California in 2007.
By Scott Burton
Down the years, Andre Fabre has proved himself a master at identifying the right horses to send to the HK$26 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m), boasting a remarkable record of three wins and five placed efforts from 15 starters, dating back to a victorious debut at the meeting with Borgia in 1999.
Third in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) on his most recent start, Sosie is arguably a match for any of his predecessors from the stable.
By Maddy Playle
The stars aligned for James McDonald when he partnered Galaxy Patch for the first time in the G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) last month, and the rider is hoping a similar scenario can play out in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) on Sunday (14 December).
The duo has a perfect record going into the HK$36 million contest after the six-year-old put in a powerful finish up the inside rail to defeat Sunlight Power, Happy Together and My Wish last time. All three runners reoppose at the weekend to form a strong local challenge.
