Voyage Bubble displays championship qualities with fighting Hong Kong Gold Cup win
James McDonald attributed a dramatic Hong Kong Gold Cup (Gr 1, 2000m) victory to Voyage Bubble’s (Deep Field) class and courage after the pair overcame several obstacles at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Having arrived at Sha Tin from Riyadh, where he partnered Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) into second place in a pulsating Saudi Cup (Gr 1, 1800m), McDonald encountered trouble near the 800 metres when Voyage Bubble clipped heels resulting in the pair being shuffled to second-last in the ten-runner field.
Unflustered, McDonald regrouped before spearing a willing Voyage Bubble through a gap at the 300 metres before the gelding powered clear away from Ensued (Lemon Drop KId) to win by almost four lengths with Chancheng Glory (Mor Spirit) third in 2m 00.59s.
“It wasn’t smooth sailing but he’s a great racehorse. I’m lucky to have him as a partner because he got me out of a sticky situation. It was very muddling and he overcame many obstacles throughout that race to come away for a great victory,” McDonald said.
“We got shuffled back but he’s a great racehorse and he got us out of trouble. We might have found a new way of riding him as well. Who knows?
“He’s not a one-trick pony, he’s got so many strings to his bow and I really enjoy riding him even though it was hairy through the middle stages – it wasn’t ideal at all.”
With his tenth victory from 24 starts, Voyage Bubble kept alive hopes of landing a HK$10 million (approx. AU$2 million) bonus for winning all three legs of the Triple Crown Series. With the Stewards’ Cup (Gr 1, 1600m) and Hong Kong Gold Cup already secured, the gelding needs to win the Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (Gr 1, 2400m) on May 25 to sweep the series and become the second horse to do so after River Verdon (Be My Native) (1993/94).
“That’s [2400 metres] another pain barrier he’s got to go through and he’s a great racehorse and we have seen it with the great horse [Romantic Warrior] last night how good these Hong Kong horses are – they’re as tough as they come – and they fly the flag anywhere,” McDonald said. “Definitely going to be a new challenge for him, but he’s up to it.”
Revelling in his first Group 1 success at 2000 metres, Yiu said: “I’m a bit optimistic to run him over 2400 metres. Before James takes off we’re going to have a little celebration party and I’m going to have a good chat with him to see where we go next. I’m pretty optimistic – we’ll take the challenge.”
John Size moved to the top of the Hong Kong trainers’ championship with a four-timer to have 32 wins for the season, level with David Hayes, but with more minor placings.
The master trainer struck with Sky Jewellery (The Autumn Sun), Crossborderpegasus (Rich Enuff), Juneau Pride (Pride Of Dubai) and Brilliant Express (Starspangledbanner).
Hugh Bowman notched his 200th Hong Kong winner in style aboard promising three-year-old Sky Jewellery, who surged from second-last turn on the home turn to land the Class 4 Citigold Private Client Handicap (1400m) after jumping from barrier 13.
“He was unlucky last start and he’s shown a lot of potential. Up in distance today was fine but the barrier, he had to overcome that, and he did it in style,” Bowman said.
Size’s push towards the top of the Hong Kong trainers’ championship continued when debutant Crossborderpegasus prevailed under Bowman in the Class 4 Citigold Handicap (1200m), Juneau Pride’s won under Brenton Avdulla in the Class 3 Citi Wealth Advisory Services Handicap (1400m) and Brilliant Express, who was partnered by Alexis Badel, landed the Class 3 Citi Insurance Services Handicap (1400m).
Badel completed a double when Frankie Lor’s Triumphant More (Star Turn) clinched the Class 3 Citi Investment Services Handicap (1200m).
Blake Shinn struck aboard Cody Mo’s Magic Control (Sioux Nation) in the Class 2 Citi Private Bank Handicap (1000m), exploding from the tail of the field in a surprising change of racing style.
“That wasn’t the plan to sit back but the speed was fast and he wanted to settle and with the weight [135lb], he needed all the favours and we had a good run and he displayed a great turn of foot,” Shinn said.
Chris So and Keagan De Melo successfully combined with Carryon Smiling (War Decree) in the Class 4 Citi Wealth Handicap (1400m) when the gelding overcame barrier 11 to salute at 83-1 before Avdulla drove the David Eustace-trained Mister Dapper (Tivaci) to victory in the Class 4 Citi Ultima Handicap (1600m).