Hong Kong racing continues on Sunday (21 January) with a 10-race fixture, highlighted by the running of the Group 1 Stewards’ Cup over 1600m.
Last season’s Hong Kong Derby hero, VOYAGE BUBBLE, will be the centre of attention as he aims to claim his first Group One victory in the feature event. VOYAGE BUBBLE enters this week’s feature race ticking many boxes.
Third-up into his preparation, he has shown improvement with each run. In his first outing, he finished third behind BEAUTY ETERNAL and BEAUTY JOY in the G2 Jockey Club Mile. He then secured second place in the G1 Hong Kong Mile, just 1.5 lengths off GOLDEN SIXTY.
Remarkable. Incredible. One of a kind.
Here's the full replay of Golden Sixty's Hong Kong Mile win – a once in a lifetime horse! 💙🤍💛@LONGINES | @Vincenthocy | #HKIR pic.twitter.com/7A9pF57RLv
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) December 10, 2023
With James McDonald flying in for the ride, VOYAGE BUBBLE is set to start as the warranted favourite. BEAUTY ETERNAL, who disappointed with a sixth-place finish in the Hong Kong Mile, is expected to rebound, while the enigmatic BEAUTY JOY is likely to be a strong contender.
Top-liner CALIFORNIA SPANGLE has delivered three poor runs recently, but objectively speaking, he could have one of the runs of the race and return to form. Another factor that could turn around the former Hong Kong Mile winner’s form is the fact that trainer Tony Cruz has elected for a gear change, with cheek pieces applied.
Elsewhere, after a slew of wide barrier draws, trainer Caspar Fownes can breathe a sigh of relief after his promising four-year-old gelding, THE HEIR, drew barrier 1 in the Class 3 race over 1400m in the final race of the card.
After finishing as the runner-up to star four-year-old on the rise, GALAXY PATCH, in his first and second starts in Hong Kong, THE HEIR has drawn wide in barriers 11 and 10, respectively, since moving up to 1400m.
Nonetheless, he has been performing well, securing third and fourth places each time. However, stepping away from an inside gate for once, and with Bowman picking up the ride, THE HEIR looks poised to finally receive the favours required to break through
