Admire Quads, Ecoro Alba, and Realize Sirius have had similar preparations for Sunday’s Grade 1 Asahi Hai Futurity for 2-year-olds at Hanshin Racecourse in Japan.
The trio won races for first-time starters and followed with graded stakes wins in their only appearances.
Realize Sirius had the earliest start, winning at a mile in his debut at Tokyo Racecourse in Japan on June 15. A stalker, Realize Sirius followed with a four-length win in the Grade 3 Nisai Sakes at Niigata Racecourse on Aug. 24.
By Paul Ryding
Hugh Bowman will aim to continue an impressive run of form at Sha Tin on Saturday (20 December) as he prepares to tackle a book of seven rides at the meeting.
The Australian Racing Hall of Famer is rounding out 2025 with momentum, piloting six winners, eight seconds and a third so far in December.
That run included a Wednesday night double at Happy Valley, where next week’s mid-week meeting will be held on Tuesday (23 December).
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.
