Written by Trent Masenhelder
Cover image courtesy of the HKJC
Hong Kong
Deep Field gelding prevails in top company
Last year’s Hong Kong Derby hero Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) is now a Group 1 winner, after he made Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) make the most of Golden Sixty’s (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) absence in Sunday’s G1 Stewards’ Cup at Sha Tin.
Ridden to perfection by Kiwi superstar James McDonald, the Ricky Yiu-trained 5-year-old chalked up his sixth win and first in top company in the HK$13 million (AU$2.5 million) mile contest, improving his earnings to HK$41,052,975 (AU$7,957,100).
Voyage Bubble proved too strong for Beauty Eternal (Starspangledbanner) and Beauty Joy (Sebring).
Bred in Australia by Torryburn Stud, Voyage Bubble was the top-seller at the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, where he was purchased by his trainer for $380,000.
He is from the winning Rahy (USA) mare Raheights, making him a half-brother to the Group 3 victress Diddums (Snitzel) and the stakes performer Brettan (Commands). Raheights has not had a foal since 2019, but she is in foal to Coolmore’s Home Affairs, who was also bred and sold by Torryburn Stud.
Yiu said he was yet to commit fully to a plan with Voyage Bubble but ruled out a tilt at the Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup, the second leg of Hong Kong’s Triple Crown.
“I’m really happy and really happy with the horse. He’s full of talent and he keeps improving. I’ve been waiting for some years (for a horse like this),” Yiu said.
Ricky Yiu | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Overseas options are likely to be considered, including the G1 Dubai Turf at Meydan on March 30 or the G1 Doncaster Mile H. at Randwick on April 6.
Later on the Sha Tin card, Mugen made it a double for Deep Field. The now-retired Deep Field, who stood at Newgate Farm, holds a substantial lead in the Hong Kong sires’ premiership, with 17 winners, 25 wins and prizemoney totalling HK$45,912,550 (AU$8,897,400).
Japan
Mikkie Isle entire lands Grade 2
William Barows (Jpn) (Mikki Isle {Jpn}), who had been knocking on the door in stakes company, finally broke through on Sunday, taking out the G2 Tokai S. at Kyoto.
The 6-year-old won in the hands of Ryusei Sakai for trainer Hiroyuki Uemura.
William Barows is from the Listed victress Diana Barows (Jpn) (Symboli Kris S {Jpn}). She is closely related to Herman Munster (NZ) (Traditionally {USA}) - a Listed winner in New Zealand, as well as Jukebox Johnny (NZ) (Marju {Ire}) - a Group 2 placegetter in Australia.
Heart’s Cry gelding too good in Nakayama feature
Sydney-based jockey Rachel King continues to impress in Japan, and on Sunday, she partnered the Noriyuki Hori-trained Chuck Nate (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) to a maiden stakes success in the G2 American Jockey Club Cup at Nakayama.
The ultra-consistent Chuck Nate has missed a top-three finish just twice in his 15-start career, with his record now five wins and eight placings and earnings.
The 6-year-old is out of the Group 1 heroine Gozzip Girl (USA) (Dynaformer {USA}) and she herself is closely related to the Group 2 winner Kingsbarns (USA) (Uncle Mo {USA}).
