FWD Chairman’s Sprint Prize (Group 1)
All eyes will be on champion sprinter KA YING RISING, who is poised to extend his winning streak to 12 in this classic sprint feature. With three Group 1 victories already this season, the David Hayes-trained star looks set to dominate again. His emphatic win in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint last December, where he outclassed top-tier international rivals — particularly from Japan — suggests this could be another one-act affair if he performs as expected under similar conditions.
If there is to be an upset, the Japanese duo SATONO REVE and LUGAL look the most likely threats. SATONO REVE comes off a powerful win in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen, while LUGAL took top honours in last year’s G1 Sprinters Stakes. SATONO REVE also benefits from having Magic Man Joao Moreira aboard, further enhancing his credentials.
Former champion sprinter LUCKY SWEYNESSE returns from an injury-enforced layoff in this Group 1 feature, but faces an uphill battle. He meets a top-class field, and doubts linger over whether he can rediscover his former brilliance. Meanwhile, HELIOS EXPRESS has filled the placings in his last six starts, all behind KA YING RISING, and looks set to play the bridesmaid role once again. He is an ideal option for forecast or place forecast bets.
FWD Champions Mile (Group 1)
Undoubtedly the best miler in Hong Kong at the moment, VOYAGE BUBBLE faces a stiff challenge from international raiders in this year’s Group 1 Champions Mile.
Currently on a winning streak, VOYAGE BUBBLE has racked up an impressive hat-trick of Group 1 victories. With champion jockey James McDonald staying aboard, he shapes as a strong contender once again. However, Australia’s MR BRIGHTSIDE, a nine-time Group 1 winner, looks set to make his presence felt and is aiming to become the first overseas runner to claim this prestigious event since Japanese star MAURICE did so in 2016. Trained by Ben, Will & JD Hayes, MR BRIGHTSIDE was last seen finishing a narrow second in the G1 All-Star Mile at Flemington, following a gritty win in the G1 Futurity Stakes. He appears to be peaking at the right time and should give VOYAGE BUBBLE a real test.
Another Group 1 winner from Australia, ROYAL PATRONAGE, has quickly recaptured his best form since returning to action in March. He caused an upset by taking out the G1 Canterbury Stakes first-up, and has since proven that was no fluke with strong efforts when fourth in the G1 Ryder Stakes and runner-up in the G1 Doncaster Mile. If he can reproduce that form in Hong Kong, he will be right in the mix.
Six-year-old Japanese runner GAIA FORCE shapes as a potential dark horse in this contest. While his last two starts on the All-Weather may lead to him being overlooked in the market, a closer look at his earlier form reveals a fast-finishing fourth behind ROMANTIC WARRIOR in the G1 Yasuda Kinen three starts back. That effort makes him an intriguing runner worth keeping an eye on.
FWD QEII Cup (Group 1)
With the absence of ROMANTIC WARRIOR, who dominated the Group 1 QEII Cup for the past three years, this year’s renewal appears wide open, with several contenders holding strong winning claims.
Leading the charge is Japanese raider LIBERTY ISLAND, who ran a gallant second to ROMANTIC WARRIOR in the G1 Hong Kong Cup last December. She was most recently seen finishing a luckless eighth in the G1 Dubai Turf at Meydan, where she endured a wide trip throughout but was beaten only 3.8 lengths. With a more economical run, she looks well placed to finally break through for her first Group 1 success outside Japan.
Fellow Japanese contender PROGNOSIS, runner-up in the last two editions of this race, also looms as a major player. He was a brave second in the G1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley last October and, although his recent form has tapered off, he remains a serious threat — especially with champion jockey James McDonald taking the reins.
Another Japanese contender, TASTIERA, brings an intriguing profile into the race, having not competed since finishing third in the Hong Kong Cup last December. However, his strong fresh record (6:1-2-0) suggests he cannot be taken lightly.
French representative and Group 1 winner GOLIATH brings top-class European form to the table. The five-year-old gelding was most impressive when landing the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Ascot last July and was last seen finishing sixth in the G1 Japan Cup in November. With top jockey Christophe Soumillon aboard, a bold first-up showing looks on the cards.
Among the local hopes, reigning Hong Kong Derby winner CAP FERRAT piques plenty of interest as he steps up to Open G1 level for the first time. It is fair to say he will need to elevate beyond his Derby-winning effort to prevail in this prestigious contest. Meanwhile, STRAIGHT ARRON and RUBYLOT could sneak into the placings at long odds.
