Ka Ying Rising, Romantic Warrior return Sunday in Hong Kong

The FWD Champions Day will be held Sunday at Sha Tin Racecourse. The three Group 1 stakes races attracted the usual stellar international fields despite the strength of the home team. As with nearly all of the top races run around the world, they are part of the World Pool with betting commingled from 27 countries. 

The Chairman’s Sprint Prize (G1) will be run about six furlongs and is basically Ka Ying Rising against the world. The winner of his last 19 starts has dominated local sprinters but will have to contend with Japan star Satono Reve, who ran second to him last year. Donnacha O’Brien ships in with Comanche Brave and even though he looks like he is in over his head, remember O’Brien won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at 20-1 odds last year. 

Stretching out another quarter mile, the FWD Champions Mile (G1) has attracted a full field of 14 and the highest rated domestic runner, Voyage Bubble, faces the equal highest rated international runner, Jantar Mantar from Japan. The winner of four Group 1 stakes races, Jantar Mantar, a son of Met Mile (G1) winner Palace Malice, won the Mile Championship (G1) last out in November in brilliant time when he overcame post 15 in an 18-runner field. He ran poorly here two years ago but has done little wrong since then.

Voyage Bubble gets relief by avoiding Romantic Warrior but is winless in three starts this year. He did win the Hong Kong Mile (G1) in December, so the class is there, and he has enough speed to avoid traffic. Docklands was beaten 2 1/2 lengths by Voyage Bubble in December but shows a terrific win at Royal Ascot going this distance. 

Since 2000, only two international runners have won the Mile, so the locals have that in their favor. Post positions and traffic will be the key to success.

A field of nine will contest the FWD QEII Cup (G1) going about 1 1/4 miles. Romantic Warrior has won this race three times but is facing a stern test from the internationals. Masquerade Ball is the highest rated runner in the field and shows a win at this distance two starts back in Japan. Last out, he was nosed out by Calandagan, who now has won five straight Group 1 stakes including the Sheema Classic last out. Masquerade Ball will be flying late with Christophe Lemaire back in the saddle. 

Romantic Warrior has done nothing wrong since returning to the races in November and is an incredible 14-for-16 at the distance. Masterfully handled by Danny Shum, he is better than ever at age 7. Sosie won the Hong Kong Vase (G1) in December and does his best on firm ground. Trainer Andre Fabre is a regular visitor to the Sha Tin winner’s circle, as is rider Maxime Guyon. A strong pace will help his chances.

I’m looking for Ka Ying Rising to extend his winning streak to 20 in the Sprint. Satono Reve will be a worthy second. The Mile poses a much tougher test with a big field going around one right-hand turn. Jantar Mantar will be hard to beat no matter where he draws. To complete the international theme, I’m looking for Sosie to beat Romantic Warrior and Masquerade Ball in the QEII.

Coverage of the entire Hong Kong Thoroughbred season at Horse Racing Nation is made possible through a sponsorship by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.