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.
By Tom Peacock
Joseph O’Brien has never been a man to duck an international challenge as he prepares to take on three-time champion Romantic Warrior in the HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (14 December).
With two Melbourne Cups and a Breeders’ Cup success already unlocked during a training career which only began in 2016, O’Brien pitches the unheralded Galen into white-hot competition.
By Daryl Timms
David Hayes has downplayed any concerns over star sprinter Ka Ying Rising drawing barrier one for the first time in his career when he confronts 12 rivals in the HK$28 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin (1200m) on Sunday (14 December).
Aiming for his 16th consecutive win with Ka Ying Rising, Hayes said the only fear was that the world’s highest-rated sprinter could miss the start.
By Toshihiro Onikubo
Yasutoshi Ikee’s dual Group 1 winner, Soul Rush, will have his last race at Sha Tin on Sunday (14 December) after a sparkling career, which has brought nine wins from 28 starts, including the G1 Mile Championship (1600m) and the G1 Dubai Turf (1800m).
It’s always nice to be invited to ride in the International Jockeys’ Championship. I was fortunate I picked up a couple of good rides, and it went well. It was great to win the IJC again after so long.
Now we’re looking ahead to Sunday.
Sha Tin | Race 4: Hong Kong Vase
We run LOS ANGELES, and this will be his final start on the racecourse.
