Elle
Nov 20th 2024
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HK International Races elite horses put on an alluring display this past Sunday showcasing their readiness for the eagerly awaited Longines HK International Races next month. Setting the pace was Romantic Warrior, a 6-year-old gelding who confirmed his status as one of the world’s best, as he dominated the G2 Jockey Club Cup at Sha Tin. His performance, combined with the feats of other local stars like Ka Ying Rising and Voyage Bubble, has sent a powerful signal to overseas competitors preparing for the December 8 event.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Top Miler ‘Soul Rush’ proved his mettle in the Grade 1 Mile Championship at Kyoto Racecourse. He stormed to a 2.5-length victory, denying Europe’s star ‘Charyn’, who had been in blistering form earlier this season. Soul Rush’s win not only marked his first Group 1 victory but also established him as a force to reckon with in next year’s international campaigns.
After a five-month layoff, Romantic Warrior made a powerful return to the track in the Jockey Club Cup, underlining why he is regarded as one of HK International Races greatest current racehorses. Ridden by James McDonald, The gelding dashed to a dominant 4.25-length victory completing his 21st start with his 16th win. McDonald, fresh off a record-breaking Melbourne Cup week, expressed his deep admiration for the horse, calling him the “heavyweight champion of the world”.
“He is an incredible horse, I love him to bits”, McDonald said after the race. “He just never lets you down. I never really get nervous about him because he is so good. He has an amazing will to win, which is second to none—more than any other horse I’ve come across”.
Despite his lengthy layoff, Romantic Warrior showed no signs of rust, effortlessly dispatching a competitive field and reaffirming his reputation as a formidable force in HK International Races. His connections are already planning for future overseas challenges, including potential trips to the Middle East after he is vaccinated for international travel. Having already achieved Group 1 wins in Australia and Japan, his connections are eager to test him on the global stage once more.
While Romantic Warrior stole the headlines, Ka Ying Rising also turned heads with his exceptional performance in the G2 Jockey Club Sprint. The 4-year-old gelding not only won the race but did so in style breaking the 1,200-meter course record beforehand held by the legendary Silent Witness. With jockey Zac Purton in the saddle, Ka Ying Rising blazed home to a dominant victory, stamping himself as one of the top sprinters in the world.
Meanwhile, Voyage Bubble secured a well-deserved victory in the Jockey Club Mile, defeating a strong local field and proving his readiness for one of the season’s prestigious events, the International Mile. Although not as flashy as Romantic Warrior or Ka Ying Rising, Voyage Bubble demonstrated solid form and is expected to peak in December.
Across the Sea of Japan, Soul Rush captured the spotlight in the Grade 1 Mile Championship at Kyoto, asserting his dominance with a powerful stretch run in horse racing. The 6-year-old son of Rulership surged to a 2.5-length victory over a quality field that included last year’s winner Serifos and Namur, the 2023 champion who struggled in the late stages and finished well behind.
Charyn, Europe’s top miler and the favorite for the race failed to live up to expectations after a slow start, finishing a well-beaten fifth. Jockey Ryan Moore, who rode Charyn, admitted that his mount’s tardy start had cost him any chance of a competitive finish. Despite a late rally, it was clear that Soul Rush raced with control.
This victory marked a significant milestone in Soul Rush’s career, as it was his first Group 1 win. It also positioned him as a key player in the global miling division. Soul Rush’s dominant victory at these prestigious events sent a strong message to international competitors, highlighting Japan’s continuing prowess on the world stage.
With the Longines HK International Races fast approaching, the stage is set for a thrilling showdown between local stars like Romantic Warrior, Ka Ying Rising, and Voyage Bubble, and their international counterparts from Europe and Japan. The performances of Soul Rush, Ka Ying Rising, and Romantic Warrior on Sunday suggest that HK International Races will be a formidable host in December, and overseas challengers should be bracing themselves for fierce competition.
As the calendar winds down and the December 8 HK International Races draw nearer, all eyes will be on Sha Tin, where these stellar athletes will come together in what promises to be a spectacular display of equine excellence on the world’s biggest stage.