Romantic Warrior secured his place within the document books as he gained a 3rd Longines Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin.
The six-year-old had been hailed as “the perfect racehorse” by jockey James McDonald forward of the 10-furlong Group One and he lived as much as his billing with a snug victory over Japanese star Liberty Island.
Aidan O’Brien’s Wingspan set the early tempo with McDonald settling Romantic Warrior in fourth, shifting barely off the rail from his attract stall one to make sure a transparent passage all through the race.
Given the sign to kick on a furlong and a half from dwelling, Romantic Warrior moved up a gear and kicked away from the chasing Liberty Island, with McDonald having sufficient in hand to show and hail the gang effectively earlier than the road.
McDonald stated: “I am so happy with this horse. It has been a outstanding effort by Danny and his staff.
“Overlook the remainder, he is the perfect.
“He’s been flying. Anyone could ride him he’s that easy but I’m the lucky one. He’s the horse of a lifetime.”
Andrew Balding’s outsider The Foxes raced in the direction of the rear however made a late cost to seize fourth place and a prize of over £240,000, whereas Spirit Dancer tried to problem however dropped again to ninth place on the line.
O’Brien’s first string Content material got here dwelling seventh and Wingspan light to tenth after her early exertions.
Ka Ying Rising sprints to Hong Kong glory
Ka Ying Rising graduated to Group One glory with victory within the Longines Hong Kong Dash at Sha Tin.
The four-year-old was broadly anticipated to star within the six-furlong warmth having gained his final seven begins and smashed a long-standing observe document on his most up-to-date run.
He was sluggish to interrupt for Zac Purton on this transfer up in firm, with the rider having to push him alongside early to get settled on the heels of pacesetter California Spangle.
When Purton gave the sign, Ka Ying Rising moved to the entrance however relatively than sprinting clear, he needed to battle the late expenses of Helios Categorical and Satono Reve to safe the win.
Ralph Beckett’s British raider Starlust couldn’t add to his Breeders’ Cup Turf Dash triumph, racing on the heels of the leaders earlier than dropping again within the straight.
Purton stated of the David Hayes-trained winner: “It wasn’t smooth, something lunged at the gate just before we went and it took his mind off it, he turned his head so was a little bit slow to step.
“Victor The Winner bore down my neck the entire approach and he by no means actually relaxed in addition to he has, he was working the entire approach.
“The win was better than it looked, he jumped something in the straight as well that took his mind off it but he’s a special horse.
“He wasn’t at his finest at this time, he is higher than this however nonetheless bought the job carried out.”
Voyage Bubble added a second Group One to his tally within the Longines Hong Kong Mile.
Educated by Ricky Yiu and ridden by James McDonald, the six-year-old travelled effectively all through and seized the initiative with two furlongs to run.
Soul Rush tried his finest to reel him again within the closing strides however after having to accept second within the Mile final yr, Voyage Bubble was not for beating this time.
French runner Lazzat fared better of the European raiders, with Harry Eustace’s Docklands and the James Ferguson-trained Ramadan down the sector.
