Picture: Hong Kong Jockey Membership
Zach Pluton believes voyage bubble He might want to match his extraordinary effort within the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile in December if he’s to reach defending his Group 1 Stewards’ Cup title over the identical distance. romantic warrior on sunday.
The Deepfield progeny was compelled to dig deep to beat a decided soul rush in December’s $4.6 million race renewal. Voyage Bubble discovered area to retain his title when the Japanese raider narrowly evaded Ricky Yi’s cost within the residence straight. It was a frenzied effort and one the seven-year-old might want to replicate if he’s to have an opportunity towards Danny Shum’s world superstars.
“I believe everybody thought he misplaced the 100 meters,” Poulton recalled. “Soul Rush had a tricky run. He was huge, labored and hit the height of his run, so my horse is gaining somewhat extra confidence and Voyage Bubble completed sturdy. It was a superb win.”
The races within the Triple Crown collection encompass the $1.7 million Stewards Cup on Sunday, the $1.7 million Hong Kong Gold Cup (G1) over a mile and a half on March 1st, and the $1.7 million Champions & Constitution Cup (G1) over a mile and a half on Could twenty fourth. Voyage Bubble turned the second horse to win the Triple Crown throughout this era, following the legendary River Verdon (1993-94). 2024-25 season.
The race for the Triple Crown shall be probably the most fascinating tales of the Hong Kong season, with each horses selecting to deal with home competitors this time period.
Romantic Warrior is the highest-earning racehorse of all time, amassing US$30.8 million in prize cash over 5 seasons and 11 Group 1 wins. The Siamese phenomenon has not misplaced in Group 1 on residence soil since dropping by a neck to the Tsar of Russia within the 2023 Champions & Constitution Cup.
For Yui, who’s a secure star, efficiently defending her Triple Crown title shall be a tough process. However one issue that might give Voyage Bubble a bonus forward of Sunday’s showdown is his fame as one of many world’s main mile specialists, with Romantic Warrior having not fought at this distance since profitable the 2024 Yasuda Kinen (G1). However Parton was reluctant to get too excited in regards to the Romantic Warrior not working the mile on Sunday.
“Usually, I might agree that (the voyage bubble is advantageous as a mile specialist),” Parton mentioned. “However Romantic Warrior has pure pace and might go anyplace. If he had been to run a 1200m race, he would nonetheless lay up and be aggressive and possibly even win. He is an important horse. He is clearly a greater horse than us, so we have to discover a option to beat him.”
James MacDonald, who shall be paired with the Acclamation gelding for the seventeenth time on Sunday, is “thrilled” to be reunited with the eight-year-old gelding however shouldn’t be taking something without any consideration as he goals for his 14th win within the partnership.
“I am trying ahead to the large showdown,” he mentioned. “Galaxy Patch and My Want are very aggressive races. They’re all excellent horses. Purple Lion is an excellent horse as effectively. He is not going to push you, however I do not suppose there’s a greater accomplice to race with than Romantic (Warrior).”
As for recommendations {that a} return to one-mile distance may have an effect on Romantic Warrior’s possibilities of profitable his first Stewards’ Cup, McDonald was bullish.
“He is been again on the highway somewhat bit, however the tempo is so quick that it isn’t enjoyable. He is a really star racehorse and I am certain he’ll give it his all each time.”
“It does not matter the gap or the floor. Romantic is a champion and can get the job carried out.”
The 11-race Sha Tin occasion begins Saturday evening at 10:30 p.m. ET with the five-furlong, Class 4 Peniaphobia Handicap.
