Cover image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Hong Kong’s Champions Day delivered on its promise of international rivalry and thrilling racing, with the two superstars of Hong Kong racing in Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior delivering arrogant wins while Mark Newnham claimed his first local Group 1 win with My Wish in the G1 Champions Mile.
The Champion Ka Ying Rising makes it 20 in a row
The superstar Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) delivered another dominant display at Sha Tin on Sunday, extending his remarkable winning streak to 20 with victory in the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize under Zac Purton.
As expected, the tempo was genuine early. Tomodachi Kokoroe (Written Tycoon) was quickly into stride for Harry Bentley, with Beauty Waves (Starspangledbanner) working forward to sit outside the leader before taking up the running under Alex Badel. Purton, meanwhile, settled Ka Ying Rising perfectly in third, travelling comfortably throughout.
Typically composed, Purton bided his time before asking for an effort approaching the 300 metres, and the response was immediate. The son of Shamexpress (NZ) exploded clear, putting the race beyond doubt in a matter of strides. He went on to defeat Satono Reve (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) by four and a quarter lengths, with Raging Blizzard (NZ) (Per Incanto) finishing strongly into third for Brenton Avdulla.
In victory, the world’s highest-rated sprinter shaved 0.02 seconds off his own benchmark, stopping the clock in a record 1.07.10. It was his ninth Group One success and lifted his earnings beyond HK$150 million (AU$26,800,000).
“We are just involved in something really, really special,” champion jockey Zac Purton said post race. It's amazing what this horse is able to do and to see the animal that he's turning into.
“Obviously, Japan sent their best sprinter over here again (Satono Reve) and he's just toyed with him as he does every time against good global sprinting opposition.
“He's a freak.
“He's (Ka Ying Rising) a freak.” - Zac Purton
“You never go through the motions, you never take anything for granted, it's a horse race, it’s horse racing and I've still got to give him his chance to win.
Zac Purton | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Trainer David Hayes echoed the sentiment, admitting the performance brought both relief and admiration.
“It's a bit (of a relief),” Hayes said.
“When the second favourite is 90/1 you tend to worry you are going to let everyone down but he doesn't does he?
“In the year of the horse, he's one of the all-time greats now I think. The way he's running times and rating so incredibly well.
“He's (Ka Ying Rising {NZ}) one of the all-time greats now I think. The way he's running times and rating so incredibly well.” - David Hayes
“A long time ago I thought he might have been the best horse I've trained, and then about a year ago I thought he was definitely the best horse I've trained and now I think he's one of the best horses I've ever seen.
“You've got to pinch yourself to have a horse of this class.”
David Hayes | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Ka Ying Rising was bred by Fraser Auret under his Grandmoral Lodge Racing banner and is out of the five-time winning Per Incanto (USA) mare Missy Moo (NZ), who also ran fourth in the G3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes.
The pedigree carries further depth, tracing back to the six-time Group 1 winner Sovereign Red (NZ), as well as G1 Melbourne Cup and G1 Caulfield Cup hero Gurner’s Lane (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}).
Sadly, Missy Moo only produced one more foal after the Champion sprinter - Ka Ying Glory (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}) - who has been placed in Hong Kong.
Newnham and Bowman combine to claim the Classic Mile
There was a strong Australian presence in the G1 Classic Mile, with Hugh Bowman producing a perfectly timed ride aboard My Wish, the Australian-bred son of Flying Artie, for trainer Mark Newnham.
The race was run at a genuine tempo, with Copartner Prance (Epaulette) leading under James Orman, while Red Lion (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) and Jantar Mantar (Jpn) (Palace Malice {Jpn}) settled prominently.
With speed on throughout, the race set up for runners off the pace, and Bowman capitalised. Sitting quietly in the run, My Wish was building momentum approaching the turn before surging into contention at the 250 metres. Once he balanced, he proved too strong, fighting on to score narrowly.
Cap Ferrat (Snitzel), last season’s Listed Hong Kong Derby winner, ran on well for second under Craig Williams, with Docklands (GB) (Massaat {Ire}) finishing third for Mark Zahra. Invincible Ibis (Hellbent), the most recent Listed Hong Kong Derby winner, was brave in fourth for James McDonald, completing a clean sweep for Australian jockeys in the top four.
“We were very confident going into the race,” Bowman commented.
“We were very confident going into the race.” - Hugh Bowman
“When the draw came out and he drew 10, he proved to me and the team in the lead-up races he enjoyed being ridden a bit conservatively (early).
“I felt as though a lot of those horses which were drawn near him had no choice but to roll forward. It created a pretty decent tempo and throughout the gallop, although we were well back, My Wish was in a beautiful rhythm, breathing consistently.'
“I found myself getting to the outside without having to make too many manoeuvres,” Bowman said.
“It was there for everyone to see what he is capable of doing when I let him go. It was no surprise to us, he has done it before and I was proud to see him do it at this level.”
Hugh Bowman | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
For Newnham, it was a landmark result, his first Hong Kong Group 1 victory -adding to his Listed Hong Kong Derby success with Invincible Ibis, who finished fourth.
“His work here last Saturday morning was exceptional. I was sitting in the grandstand and he came flying by. You could tell in Hugh's voice that it was as good as the horse could go.
“His work here last Saturday morning was exceptional. I was sitting in the grandstand and he came flying by.” - Mark Newnham
“We felt if the race worked out for him, his turn of foot would prove superior at the end and that's how it turned out.”
Despite the result, Newnham admitted there were moments of concern during the run.
“Both of mine were back in the field which is always a nervous watch,” Newnham said.
“But we had James McDonald on one (Invincible Ibis) and Hugh Bowman on the other so you couldn't be in better hands.
“I was proud of both horses. Invincible Ibis, when he comes back next season, he will acquit himself well in this grade.
“My Wish has taken a season or two to win his Group 1 but the way he is going now, I don't think it will be his last.”
Mark Newnham | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
He also highlighted the significance of the result for the stable.
“It's important part of my career and important for the stable's career and the team with me,” he said.
“It's important part of my career and important for the stable's career and the team with me.” - Mark Newnham
“Everyone who works for me is really invested in the stable and I love that. I know tomorrow morning, when I get to the stable, everyone will be buzzing, everyone will be smiling, and this is a reward for their hard work.”
My Wish is the first and only foal to race out of Set The Tone (Reset), a winner over 2100 metres. She has a Flying Artie yearling colt, a weanling colt by Hawaii Five Oh and was served by Flying Artie’s son Artorius last November.
His pedigree also features elite sprinting influences, including Group 1 winners Mazu (Maurice {Jpn}) and Headway (Charge Forward).
The victory marked his fourth stakes win and seventh overall. He had previously won last season’s Listed Classic Mile, finished runner-up in the Listed Hong Kong Derby, and placed fourth in the G1 Champions Mile last April.
Romantic Warrior claims his fourth QEII
Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) produced another masterclass at Sha Tin, claiming his fourth G1 QEII Cup for trainer Danny Shum and regular rider James McDonald, further cementing his place among the elite with a 14th Group 1 victory.
Against a strong international field, the race unfolded at an unusually steady tempo for the quality of the race, with Numbers (NZ) (Tivaci) setting the pace under Derek Leung, while Giovanni (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) sat outside the leader for Jason Collett.
McDonald ensured Romantic Warrior enjoyed the perfect run in transit, settling in the one-one with cover, while the classy Royal Champion (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}) secured the trail under Oisin Murphy.
As the field straightened, the race quickly turned into a familiar story. At the 300 metre mark, the Champion loomed ominously before asserting his authority, putting the race beyond doubt in a matter of strides.
Masquerade Ball (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) ran on strongly to finish a length behind, while Sosie (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) was brave in third.
“It was touted to be his toughest test, and I’ve got pay Danny and his team so much admiration for how he’s got this horse ready,” McDonald said.
“He literally is a dream come true for us - I’m the lucky one to be riding and Danny’s the lucky one to be training him.
“He literally is a dream come true for us - I’m the lucky one to be riding and Danny’s the lucky one to be training him.” - James McDonald
“Anything you have to do with this horse, it’s what dreams are made of.”
Bred in Ireland by Tim Rooney and David Egan of Corduff Stud, Romantic Warrior was originally purchased by Mick Kinane on behalf of the Hong Kong Jockey Club for 300,000 guineas (AU$596,000) at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale and later acquired by owner Peter Lau at the Hong Kong International Sale HK$4.8 million (AU$745,900).
He is the third foal of the Street Cry (Ire) mare Folk Melody (Ire), who was a winner as a juvenile, and her dam is the G1 Woodbine EP Taylor Stakes winner Folk Opera (Ire) (Singspiel {Ire}).
