Tag: Voyage Bubble

Star-Studded Fields Announced For Dubai World Cup Meeting

Five returning champions and one previous champion highlight the prospective fields for the Dubai World Cup meeting to be held at sprawling Meydan Racecourse in Dubai Saturday, Mar. 30. The connections of 106 horses from no fewer than 12 racing jurisdictions have accepted invitations to the eight Thoroughbred races on a $30.5-million program that begins with the $1-million Dubai Kahayla Classic for the Purebred Arabians and concludes with the $12-million G1 Dubai World Cup.

The main event has attracted a field of 15 that is led by its defending champion Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), one of 24 runners set to ship in from Japan for the meeting. Looking to become the first 7-year-old World Cup winner since Gloria de Campeao (Brz) back in 2010 and just the third overall, the recent G1 Saudi Cup runner-up is joined by three compatriots, including last year's G2 UAE Derby hero Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits). The American challenge numbers five and is topped by Saudi Cup upsetter Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) and GI Santa Anita H. hero Newgate (Into Mischief) for four-time World Cup winner Bob Baffert, while the exciting Kabirkhan (California Chrome) has been the talking horse of the Dubai International Racing Carnival and the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge victor will have his supporters to become a first World Cup winner for perennial leading trainer Doug Watson. Laurel River (Into Mischief) won the G3 Burj Nahaar over a mile on Super Saturday Mar. 2, but opts for the World Cup over the Godolphin Mile for trainer Bhupat Seemar.

The $6-million G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, won in imperious fashion by Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) last March, was the second highest-rated race in the world in 2023, and if the field assembled for this renewal is any indication, it could go one better. A likely field of 12 has been revealed, fully 10 of which have succeeded at Group 1 level, and features a mouth-watering clash between G1 Betfred Derby, G1 Irish Derby and GI Breeders' Cup Turf hero Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Japanese Triple Tiara winner Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}). Japan is also represented by 2022 Sheema Classic victor Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), while Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is set to make her first appearance beyond the borders of the UK and is one of four on the evening for John and Thady Gosden. Godolphin sends out Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), impressive in taking out the Listed HH The Amir Trophy in Qatar last month.

Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) also represents the Clarehaven operation as he goes in search of an unprecedented fourth victory in a row in the G1 Dubai Turf, where he squares off with G1 Arima Kinen hero Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), the would-be 2023 favourite who was scratched leading up to the race. Also in the field is Lord North's hard-knocking stable companion Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}); Godolphin's progressive G1 Jebel Hatta winner Measured Time (GB) (Frankel {GB}); treble elite-level scorer Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) for Aidan O'Brien; and Hong Kong's Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), victorious in this year's G1 Stewards Cup at Sha Tin.

Godolphin's Siskany (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) will look to avenge a tough defeat in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup, where he'll surely face a stiff challenge from recent G3 Longines Red Sea Turf H. winner Tower of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and runner-up Enemy (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}); G2 British Champions Long Distance Cup conqueror Trawlerman (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}); and G2 Yorkshire Cup winner Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {GB}).

Danyah (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) proved a somewhat unlikely winner of the 2023 G1 Al Quoz Sprint for local trainer Musabbeh Al Mheiri and will have to dig deep if he is to defend against the Jamie Osborne-trained veteran Emaraaty Ana (GB) (Shamardal), a recent winner in Qatar; the nails-tough US raider Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed); Annaf (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}), so game up the rail to scoop the G2 1351 Turf Sprint Feb. 24; Hong Kong's G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup winner California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}); and the 3-year-old fillies Star of Mystery (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) and Frost At Dawn (Frosted).

America's Sibelius (Not This Time) will have Ryan Moore back in the saddle as he defends his title in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen against the likes of G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint winner Remake (Jpn) (Lani) and the locally trained Tuz (Oxbow), while Isolate (Mark Valeski) is certain to face a strong challenge from Saudi Cup close third-placegetter Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming), who drops back in trip for the G2 Godolphin Mile.

The G2 UAE Derby features a budding star in the form of the Yoshito Yahagi-conditioned Forever Young (Jpn), a son of 2016 Dubai Turf hero Real Steel (Jpn), whose undefeated run includes a razor-thin victory in the 1600-metre G3 Saudi Derby Feb. 24. G3 UAE 2000 Guineas winner Mendelssohn Bay (Mendelssohn) and Listed Al Bastakiya S. scorer Killer Collect (Collected) front the local challenge, while Ballydoyle is set to be represented by G3 Tyros S. winner Henry Adams (Ire) (No Nay Never). The Derby offers 100 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Click here for the full fields.

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Romantic Warrior Strikes ‘Gold’ In Epic Clash Of Derby Winners

Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) became just the third horse since the turn of the century to capture each of the four 2000-metre features in Hong Kong, as he outbattled fellow BMW Hong Kong Derby winner Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}) in an epic renewal of the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup at Sha Tin Racecourse Sunday afternoon.

The 6-year-old joins Vengeance of Rain (NZ) and Designs on Rome (Ire) as the only horses since 2000 to win the Derby, Gold Cup, G1 FWD QE II Cup and G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup.

It was anything but easy.

Making his first start since edging Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) for his second consecutive Hong Kong Cup some 77 days ago, Romantic Warrior was done no favors by Thursday's draw, leaving James McDonald to work some magic from the 11 hole with a short run to the first corner.

He was alertly away and the Kiwi, who famously rode him to victory in last year's G1 Cox Plate, immediately had a look to his left to see where he might be able to slot in. When Money Catcher (NZ) (Ferlax {NZ}) rolled forward, McDonald was able to secure some cover three wide from the second flight and by the time they made the backstretch run, Romantic Warrior had eased past Voyage Bubble and into a perfect spot from third, with Sword Point (Aus) (American Pharoah) at the head of affairs.

McDonald committed to an inside run around the second turn, while Zac Purton had Voyage Bubble on the back of Senor Toba (Aus) (Toronado {Ire}), ready to peel out to deliver his challenge when asked. Romantic Warrior was asked to take the gap between Money Catcher and Sword Point in upper stretch and did so willingly, but Voyage Bubble was right there and the stage was set for a thrilling climax. More or less stride for stride at the 200-metres, neither was willing to give an inch, but Romantic Warrior proved slightly tougher in the run to the wire. Nimble Nimbus (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) came from worse than midfield to snag third. McDonald has ridden Romantic Warrior in eight starts for seven wins, the only blemish a first-up fourth when prepping for the Cox Plate in the G1 Turnbull S. last October.

“He's the horse that does it all,” said McDonald. “He makes you look good all the time. His tenacity (and) will to win is phenomenal. I suppose instincts kicked in and (I) went with the flow. When you ride such good horses, you can do what you want to do and even if I made a little mistake during the race, he is probably good enough to overcome it and that was probably my mindset.

“I was mindful obviously that (Voyage Bubble) was having his second time at the 2000m and he (Purton) committed early – so it was a really good ride,” McDonald added. “My thinking was that I was going to be stronger late, so I just let him (Romantic Warrior) build through his gears under his own steam and he got there really easily.”

Trainer Danny Shum will now prepare Romantic Warrior for a three-peat attempt in the QE II Cup Apr. 28, with a trip to Japan for the G1 Yasuda Kinen looming an increasingly likely option. Voyage Bubble holds an entry for the G1 Dubai Turf Mar. 30 and could take up that engagement.

Pedigree Notes:

Romantic Warrior, a 300,000gns Tattersalls October grad and the most successful horse to emerge from the Hong Kong International Sale, is one of three winners from four to the races for his dam, a daughter of the English listed-winning and Group 3-placed, G2 Prix Jean Romanet and GI E. P. Taylor S. winner Folk Opera, who was purchased by Blandford Bloodstock carrying to Exceed and Excel (Aus) for €82,000 at the 2016 Goffs November Sale. The in-utero purchase, named Melodic Charm (Ire), was sold for 85,000gns at the 2018 Tattersalls October Sale and was a two-time winner at the races for Saeed Manana and James Tate before clearly benefitting from the success of Romantic Warrior when selling to the China Horse Club for 270,000gns in foal to Dark Angel (Ire) at last year's Tattersalls December Mares Sale.

Folk Melody is also the dam of the 3-year-old colt Operation Gimcrack (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) and a yearling colt by the same stallion that was bought back for 110,000gns at last year's Tattersalls October Sale. Folk Star (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}), a David Simcock-trained half-sister to Folk Melody who won her maiden at Kempton Nov. 6 and was a narrowly beaten second in a Lingfield handicap Nov. 25, was knocked down to Kildaragh Stud for 37,000gns at the 2023 Tattersalls December Sale. Folk Melody is additionally the dam of a weanling colt by New Bay (GB) and the granddam of Spielman (GB) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), a maiden winner at Pau for Jean-Claude Rouget Feb. 4.

 

 

 

Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
CITI HONG KONG GOLD CUP-G1, HK$13,000,000, Sha Tin, 2-25, 3yo/up, 2000mT, 2:00.31, gd.
1–ROMANTIC WARRIOR (IRE), 126, g, 6, by Acclamation (GB)
1st Dam: Folk Melody (Ire), by Street Cry (Ire)
2nd Dam: Folk Opera (Ire), by Singspiel (Ire)
3rd Dam: Skiphall (GB), by Halling
(300,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT; HK$4,800,000 HRA '21 HKJUN). O-Peter Lau Pak Fai; B-T J Rooney & Corduff Stud; T-Danny Shum; J-James McDonald; HK$7,280,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. 4yo, 2x. Ch. Middle Distance Horse-HK, G1SW-Aus, 18-13-3-0, HK$127,076,084. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Voyage Bubble (Aus), 126, g, 5, Deep Field (Aus)–Raheights (Aus), by Rahy. (A$380,000 Ylg '20 INGFEB). O-Sunshine And Moonlight Syndicate; B-Torryburn Stud (NSW); T-Ricky Yiu; J-Zac Purton; HK$2,730,000.
3–Nimble Nimbus (NZ), 126, g, 6, Sacred Falls (NZ)–Marahau (NZ), by Pins (Aus). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK-TYPE. (NZ$100,000 Ylg '19 NZBJAN). O-Jason Chan Kam Kwan; B-Waikato Stud Ltd; T-Ricky Yiu; J-Andrea Atzeni; HK$1,495,000.
Margins: NK, 3, 3/4. Odds: 65-100, 3-1, 23-1.
Also Ran: Straight Arron (Aus), Five G Patch (Ire), Beauty Joy (Aus), Encountered (Ire), Senor Toba (Aus), Sword Point (Aus), Champion Dragon (Ire), Money Catcher (NZ). Click for the HKJC chart, PPs and sectional timing.

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Romantic Warrior Front and Centre In Hong Kong Gold Cup

Seven times has Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) gone to post over the 2000 metres at Sha Tin Racecourse and on six of those occasions, he has proved victorious, more times than not in convincing fashion. His lone blemish over the course and distance came in the 2023 G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup, when he was run down close home by multiple Horse of the Year Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) as the odds-on pop, but barring something unforeseen, Romantic Warrior should be righting that wrong against 10 others in this year's Gold Cup Sunday afternoon.

It has been a carefully managed season thus far for Romantic Warrior, who likely was in need of the run when fourth in the G1 Turnbull S. in Melbourne before just prevailing in the G1 Cox Plate three weeks later. Despite a six-week turnaround and a period of quarantine once returning from Australia, Romantic Warrior outlasted the nails-tough Luxembourg (Ire) in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup Dec. 10.

A victory Sunday would complete the set of Hong Kong features over the mile and a quarter, which also includes the 2022 BMW Hong Kong Derby and last year's G1 FWD QE II Cup. He would join the likes of Vengeance of Rain (NZ) and Designs On Rome (Ire) should he do so.

“He's very good. He's happy, healthy and in good form. Hugh Bowman gave a very positive report to me,” said trainer Danny Shum following a Tuesday gallop on the grass. James McDonald will be in from Australia for the ride.

The Kiwi was aboard Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}) when he registered a maiden Group 1 success in the Stewards' Cup going a mile Jan. 21 and stretches back out to 10 furlongs for the first time since causing a 45-1 upset in last year's Hong Kong Derby. A good performance could lead to an appearance in the G1 Dubai Turf (1800m) at Meydan in five weeks' time.

Straight Arron (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) took advantage of Romantic Warrior's absence to defeat Sword Point (Aus) (American Pharoah) in the G2 Jockey Club Cup in November and was a troubled fourth, beaten under a length, in the Hong Kong Cup. The 5-year-old returns to level weights after carrying 135 pounds to a third-place effort behind Nimble Nimbus (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) and Five G Patch (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) in the G3 Centenary Vase H. Feb. 4.

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Voyage Bubble ‘Bursts’ Onto Scene In Stewards’ Cup

Make no mistake. Even a sidelined Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) remains the king of the hill among Hong Kong milers, if not the entire planet.

The 8-year-old showed he still had plenty to give with a remarkable first-up performance from a terrible draw in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile Dec. 10, and the horse he beat that day, Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), showed that his effort was anything but a one-off, outlasting Beauty Eternal (Aus) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) in Sunday's G1 Stewards' Cup at Sha Tin Racecourse.

Having belied rough odds to cause a surprise in last year's BMW Hong Kong Derby over 10 furlongs, Voyage Bubble has been kept to the mile thus far this season, and his effort last month ensured that he'd have the target on his back Sunday. The $1.90 favourite put himself right into the early mix, as California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) set a modest tempo in advance of Beauty Eternal. When the latter pushed away from his spot at the fence, Voyage Bubble was hung out three deep at the 600 metres, but was still going well, as the longer-winded Straight Arron (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) launched a four-wide bid at the top of the straight. Zac Purton sent Beauty Eternal past the pacesetter approaching the furlong grounds, but Voyage Bubble had his measure and finished his race off slightly the better for the victory. Beauty Joy (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}) ran on decently for third.

“I was in a nice, controlling position where I felt like if the pace slackened–which it did–that I was in a free-rolling position and I had enough room around so that I could go when I wanted to go and it worked out perfectly,” said jockey James McDonald, who recently completed a short-term contract in Hong Kong and was jetting in from Australia for Sunday's ride. “He put in a fantastic run in the International Mile and backed it up today. There's no heir apparent to Golden Sixty, but we're happy to be the next man jogging on the spot, so to speak, and we're probably lucky the champ wasn't there.”

Trainer Ricky Yiu has given Voyage Bubble an entry for the G1 Dubai Turf at Meydan Mar. 30 and is also considering the G1 Doncaster Mile H. at Randwick at The Championships a week later. For his part, McDonald believes Voyage Bubble would not be out of his depth.

“He's going to be a force to be reckoned with here and a flagbearer for the horses here and I'm just looking forward to seeing where he fits in, obviously being such a young, progressive horse,” McDonald said.

 

 

 

Pedigree Notes:

As previously mentioned, Deep Field is the leading sire in Hong Kong by number of winners and progeny earnings. Voyage Bubble is the stallion's second elite-level scorer in Hong Kong, joining Longines Hong Kong Sprint hero Sky Field (Aus), and fourth overall. Deep Field, who was removed from stud duties at Newgate Farm last year due to an inability to get his mares in foal, is now the sire of 16 winners overall at group level. Rahy has now been represented by 20 Group 1/Grade I winners out of his daughters.

Given the sire's popularity locally, the Hong Kong Jockey Club signed for three yearlings at the recently concluded Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale for A$1.775 million, including a son of listed-placed Merited (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) for A$800,000.

Torryburn Stud, also the breeders of Hong Kong Group 1 winner Hot King Prawn (Aus) (Denman {Aus}), raced the dam of Voyage Bubble to four wins from 26 starts and she has since produced seven winners from seven to race, including the Group 3 winner Diddums (Aus) and the 4-year-old gelding Seventies Hit (Aus) (Your Song {Aus}), a maiden winner at Beaudesert in Queensland Dec. 30.

A half-sister to Listed Rockingham S. winner multiple Group 2-placed Bannock (Ire) (Bertolini) and Australian stakes winner Moulin (Aus) (Reset {Aus}), Raheights has not produced a foal since Seventies Hit and was most recently covered by Home Affairs (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) last Nov. 7. Voyage Bubble's third dam produced Canadian Horse of the Year Never Retreat (Smart Strike).

Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
STEWARDS' CUP-G1, HK$13,000,000, Sha Tin, 1-21, 3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:33.97, gd.
1–VOYAGE BUBBLE (AUS), 126, g, 5, by Deep Field (Aus)
1st Dam: Raheights (Aus), by Rahy
2nd Dam: Laoub, by Red Ransom
3rd Dam: Lisieux, by Steady Growth
1ST GROUP WIN, 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (A$380,000 Ylg '20 INGFEB). O-Sunshine and Moonlight Syndicate; B-Torryburn Stud (NSW); T-Ricky Yiu; J-James McDonald; HK$7,280,000. Lifetime Record: 15-6-4-2, HK$41,052,975. *1/2 to Diddums (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), GSW-Aus, $164,688. Werk Nick Rating: C. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Beauty Eternal (Aus), 126, g, 5, Starspangledbanner (Aus)–Ithacan Queen (NZ), by Savabeel (Aus). (A$90,000 Ylg '20 INGFEB). O-Patrick Kwok Ho Chuen; B-P Raftopoulos (Vic); T-John Size; J-Zac Purton; HK$2,730,000.
3–Beauty Joy (Aus), 126, g, 7, Sebring (Aus)–Impressive Jeuney (Aus), by Jeune (GB). O-Eleanor Kwok Lai Kwan Chun & Patrick Kwok Ho Chuen; B-Impressive Racing Pty Ltd (WA); T-Tony Cruz; J-Derek Leung; HK$1,495,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, 1, 1 1/4. Odds: 9-10, 23-10, 11-1.
Also Ran: California Spangle (Ire), Fantastic Treasure, Straight Arron (Aus), Russian Emperor (Ire), Healthy Happy (Aus). Click for the HKJC chart, PPs and sectional timing.

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