Hong Kong Mile
With the retirement of GOLDEN SIXTY, this year’s HK$36m Group 1 Hong Kong Mile is shaping up to be a wide-open contest.
Leading the charge among the overseas raiders is Japan’s star three-year-old, JANTAR MANTAR, who boasts an impressive record of four wins from six starts, including two Group 1 victories. However, those wins were in age-restricted races, making this open Group 1 event a true test of his ability against more experienced rivals. Joining him is fellow Japanese contender SOUL RUSH, fresh off a victory in the Group 1 Mile Championship at Kyoto. With champion jockey Joao Moreira taking the reins, SOUL RUSH is expected to deliver a top-class performance, further bolstering Japan’s chances.
One of the top three-year-olds in France this season, LAZZAT suffered his first defeat in the Golden Eagle—his overseas debut in Australia—but finished a close second at Rosehill. His untapped potential suggests that he has a long way to go and could achieve even greater success in the future. Representing Australia, Group 1 winner ANTINO has been in peak form recently. After securing his first Group 1 victory in the Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield two starts ago, he finished as the runner-up in the Group 1 VRC Champions Mile last time out, making him a formidable contender for this prestigious feature.
Trained by Pierre Ng, GALAXY PATCH is seen by many local racing fans as a potential successor to GOLDEN SIXTY. He finished a luckless third behind VOYAGE BUBBLE in the Group 2 Jockey Club Mile after enduring a wide trip throughout. With a better run in transit, he could continue the local team’s dominance in this race, having claimed victories in the past four years. Possessing tactical speed, VOYAGE BUBBLE showed great tenacity with a strong on-pace win in the Group 2 Jockey Club Mile and is now aiming to repeat that success in the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile.
Hong Kong Cup
While champion galloper ROMANTIC WARRIOR aims for a historic third consecutive victory in the HK$40 million Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Cup, the path to glory will not be an easy one. Standing between him and the coveted title is a formidable mix of local and international challengers, including two rising stars from Aidan O’Brien’s stable: the promising three-year-old fillies CONTENT and WINGSPAN.
CONTENT, a daughter of the legendary sire Galileo, is no stranger to elite company. With 15 career starts under her belt, she boasts a win and two placings in nine Group 1 contests. Her standout performance came earlier this year in the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks, where she triumphed under the guidance of Ryan Moore. Most recently, she delivered a commendable sixth-place finish in the Group 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar, signaling her readiness to take on this challenge.
Her stablemate, WINGSPAN, though less experienced, has shown flashes of brilliance. She caught the eye with a courageous second-place finish in the Group 1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes two starts ago, showcasing her potential to compete at the highest level. Both fillies enjoy a crucial 7-pound weight allowance against their older male counterparts, a factor that could tip the scales in their favor in this highly competitive showdown.
Adding to the intrigue is Japan’s ever-potent contingent. The nation has dominated the Hong Kong Cup in recent years, securing five wins since 2013, including an impressive hat-trick from 2019 to 2021. This year, Japan’s hopes rest on the shoulders of LIBERTY ISLAND and TASTIERA.
LIBERTY ISLAND brings an outstanding record, with four wins from seven Group 1 starts and only one unplaced effort. Her consistency and tactical versatility make her a serious contender. Meanwhile, TASTIERA, the 2023 Group 1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) winner, underlined his quality with a determined second-place finish in the Group 1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) last time out. Both horses carry Japan’s hopes of reclaiming the crown in this prestigious event.
