Ricky Yiu is confident Voyage Bubble can overcome stamina concerns and press for a rare clean sweep of Hong Kong’s Triple Crown series in the HK$13 million G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (25 May).
Untried beyond 2000m, where he has won twice and finished second by a neck to Romantic Warrior at his only other start at the distance, Voyage Bubble extends to 2400m this weekend for the first time in a glittering career in the final Group 1 of the Hong Kong this season.
Drawn in barrier three for jockey James McDonald, the four-time Group 1 winner faces nine rivals headed by Dubai Honour, a dual Group 1 winner at 2400m and second in December’s HK$24 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m) to Giavellotto.
Bidding to become the first horse since River Verdon in 1993/94 to complete the Triple Crown and snare a HK$10 million bonus by winning the HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m), HK$13 million G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) and Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup in the same season, Voyage Bubble has pleased Yiu with his preparation.
“He’s going really well. He hasn’t put a foot wrong,” Yiu said of the 2023 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) winner.
“The closer to the race and the more I look at this horse, I think he can absolutely handle the trip. Compared to last year or when he won the Derby over 2000m, he’s so relaxed now.
“We’re only talking about 400m more in a small field with a jockey who knows him well. He’ll be a really good chance.”
Yiu said he would entrust McDonald with tactics as the New Zealander bids for a sixth win on Voyage Bubble.
“I’ll leave it to the jockey – he can read if they’re going quick or going slow,” the 2019/20 Hong Kong champion trainer said.
Having excelled up to 2000m, Voyage Bubble reappears after a short-head second to Red Lion in the HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) on 27 April as Yiu acknowledged Dubai Honour’s formidable form at 2400m.
“He’s (Dubai Honour) the main danger. He even did well when he was here last December. Hopefully we can beat him.”
Dubai Honour returns to Hong Kong for a fifth time, having finished fourth to Japan’s Loves Only You in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) in 2021, third to Romantic Warrior in the G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) in 2023, seventh to Romantic Warrior in the 2024 FWD QEII Cup and second to Giavellotto in December.
To be ridden by Tom Marquand, William Haggas’ globetrotter will bid for a third Group 1 at the distance, having landed the G1 Tancred Stakes on 1 April and the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud at Saint-Cloud on 30 June, 2024.
Voyage Bubble and Dubai Honour will face HK$26 million 2025 BMW Hong Kong Derby victor Cap Ferrat, Ensued, Moments In Time, Rubylot, Five G Patch, La City Blanche, Winning Dragon and Bundle Award with all runners to carry 126lb.
Several contenders for the HK$4.2 million G3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap (1200m) and HK$4.2 million G3 Lion Rock Trophy Handicap (1600m) on 31 May stepped out in dirt trials at Sha Tin this morning (Thursday, 22 May) with Beauty Waves leading home Patch Of Theta, Beauty Eternal, Taj Dragon, Red Lion and Chancheng Glory in a 1200m trial, clocking 1m 10.29s.
Divano (second), Johannes Brahms (third) and Helios Express (fourth) featured in the second trial won by Target Audience in 1m 10.98s.
Standard Chartered Day this Sunday (25 May) at Sha Tin features 11 races and starts with the Pakistan Star Plate (1200m) for Griffins at 12.30pm.
By Leo Schlink
