Voyage Bubble sealed his status as Hong Kong’s premier miler with a spirited victory in Sunday’s Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin under James McDonald for trainer Ricky Yiu.
Banishing memories of chasing former champion Golden Sixty’s tail in this race last year when second, Voyage Bubble followed his HK$5.35 million Group 2 Jockey Club Mile (1600m) triumph last month by staving off opposition from Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, France and Great Britain today as a $2.60 favourite with horse racing bookmakers in a time of 1:33.34s.
Unplaced in Dubai and Japan late last season, Voyage Bubble had his third run this term following an arduous 2023/24 campaign after finishing second first-up to Galaxy Patch in October, who was seventh today after contending with the widest of 14 barriers and an interrupted run in the home straight.
Success is Voyage Bubble’s second at Group 1 level after winning January’s HK$13 million Group 1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m).
“He’s (Voyage Bubble) a great horse in his own right. He felt excellent going to the gates today – he was really on the job. Credit to Ricky and his team – they’ve prepped him up beautifully,” McDonald said. “He just gives his all. He has a very big heart and he’s very uncomplicated.”
Settled on the speed after the jump, Voyage Bubble jostled for the lead with Beauty Eternal before leaving Zac Purton’s mount alone at the head of the field. Asked the question with 350m to run, Voyage Bubble responded with trademark tenacity as Soul Rush unleashed late.
Japan’s raider Soul Rush – who finished fourth in 2023 behind Golden Sixty – made up significant ground to pinch second as Beauty Joy did similar under Brenton Avdulla, but it was Voyage Bubble who savoured victory by one and a quarter lengths.
Yiu said: “Mentally he is a lot more mature. He’s very smart and he’s developed – he’s gotten taller and a little bit bigger. He has enjoyed Conghua very much.”
Today’s win was the fourth at the Hong Kong International Races for Yiu, who captured the Hong Kong Sprint with Fairy King Prawn (1999) and Sacred Kingdom (2007 & 2009).
“Out of all of jockeys who have won on him James knows him the best and the draw (five) helped him. The way the race was run suited him. We have wonderful team and we work together very nicely,” Yiu said.
Of Soul Rush, Moreira said: “It was a fantastic run, I just think he was beaten by the gate (10).”
Speaking of Beauty Joy, Avdulla said: “He ran terrific. He’s not easy to ride, he gives them a start but he closed off hard. He handled himself well.”
Australian raider Antino finished 11th, Great Britain’s Docklands and Ramadan were 12th and 14th, respectively. French visitor Lazzat was ninth, while Jantar Mantar from Japan finished 13th.
Beauty Eternal faded to fourth with Happy Together behind him, while Chancheng Glory was sixth – one spot ahead of Galaxy Patch.
Jockey Vincent Ho said: “He (Galaxy Patch) came across some interference a couple of times, but he ran well.”
Victory atop Voyage Bubble was the first of a Group 1 double for McDonald, who captured a record-setting third HK$40 million Group 1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) one race later aboard Romantic Warrior for trainer Danny Shum.
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