Yiu confident of breaking more new ground with Voyage Bubble in the Gold Cup
by Sam Agars on Saturday, February 22, 2025 9:30 AM Voyage Bubble wins last month's Group One Stewards' Cup (1,600m) under James McDonald. Photos: Kenneth Chan
Before Voyage Bubble, Ricky Yiu Poon-fai had never won a top-line feature race over further than 1,200m, with gun speedsters like Fairy King Prawn, Sacred Kingdom and Amber Sky tasked with putting the veteran handler's name up in Group One lights.
Now, after wins in the Classic Mile, Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) and three 1,600m Group Ones, Voyage Bubble is poised to hand Yiu his first elite-level success at 10 furlongs in this Sunday's Group One Gold Cup (2,000m) at Sha Tin.
'Even the Derby, I never imagined I could have a horse who could do well in that race because I target horses more likely to do well at shorter distances,' said Yiu, who has long been regarded for his ability to source quality horses from the yearling sales.
'I don't really like the staying-type horses and I don't really purchase them, so the Bubble is an exception.' — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 25, 2024
Fresh from consecutive Group One wins in the Hong Kong Mile and Stewards' Cup (1,600m), Voyage Bubble will look to go one better in the Gold Cup after finishing a neck second to the great Romantic Warrior 12 months ago.
With Romantic Warrior in the Middle East chasing Group One Saudi Cup (1,800m) glory, victory looks Voyage Bubble's for the taking in a Gold Cup also featuring the likes of Galaxy Patch, Chancheng Glory, Ensued, stablemate Straight Arron and Five G Patch.
'He's doing very well, I'm really happy with him. He came through his grass gallop and dirt trial very well,' Yiu said of Voyage Bubble, who jumps from gate one. 'He's got a good draw and he'll be hard to beat.'
All going to plan, James McDonald will again ride Voyage Bubble but the gun Kiwi jockey will be cutting things fine after partnering Romantic Warrior in the early hours of Sunday morning Hong Kong time.
McDonald is scheduled to land in Hong Kong from Riyadh at 1.40pm on Sunday ahead of the Gold Cup at 4.05pm and it is believed Jockey Club officials have done everything in their power to ensure McDonald the swiftest passage possible through the airport.
'I don't want to think about it – I'm only thinking positive,' said Yiu of McDonald, who will be replaced by standby rider Jerry Chau Chun-lok should he not make it back in time.
'He's an up-and-coming local boy and I wanted to give him some support,' added Yiu of Chau.
McDonald is joined by Blake Shinn in jetting in for the Group One card, with Shinn to partner Galaxy Patch in the Gold Cup.
While McDonald had to forego his ride aboard Howdeepisyourlove in the Group One Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) due to his late arrival at Sha Tin, Shinn will partner Mugen in that contest.
Another jockey joining the riding roster on Sunday is Declan McDonogh, with the Irishman the latest rider brought to Hong Kong as cover for injured trio Zac Purton, Vincent Ho Chak-yiu and Angus Chung Yik-lai.
'I've been trying for a long time to get out for a stint,' said McDonogh, who competed in the International Jockeys' Championship at Happy Valley in 2006.
'It's good to be here and we'll see how we go,' added the 45-year-old ahead of four rides at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- South China Morning Post
HK racing off-season update: Harry Bentley gets Group One call up, Karis Teetan heads to Japan
Harry Bentley will bid for Group One glory at York this week. Photos: Kenneth Chan Alexis Badel will also compete in the World All-StarJockeys at Sapporo Racecourse this weekend Harry Bentley will press pause on his holiday to ride Spicy Marg in Friday's Group One Nunthorpe Stakes (1,000m) at York. The 33-year-old was back in the UK after a 31-winner campaign in Hong Kong last season but has received an unexpected call-up for one of the feature races of this week's Ebor Festival at York. The Nunthorpe commonly sees the younger horses take on their elders and Spicy Marg, just a two-year-old, will carry a tiny weight as she bids to become the first two-year-old since Kingsgate Native in 2007 to win the prize. Bentley will have to get down to just 8st 2lb to take the ride, but he did not need too much convincing by trainer Michael Bell to take the ride. Spicy Marg working at @NewmarketRace this morning under @HarryBentley_ ahead of the @coolmorestud Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at @yorkracecourse next week 🚀 — Sporting Life Racing (@SportingLife) August 15, 2025 'It was a very pleasant surprise, it was a bit of divine intervention to get the ride,' Bentley told Luck On Sunday. 'I just happened to be in the right place at the right time, seeing Michael Bell in the owner's room, and a couple of days later he rang me and asked if I was able to do the weight, would it be of interest to ride Spicy Marg. 'Obviously I was very happy to take the ride. I wouldn't say it's comfortable [riding at 8st 2lb] but I can certainly do it. I'm doing light weights very often in Hong Kong, so getting down to this sort of weight is fairly routine for me.' With the ride secured, Bentley is also hunting around for further opportunities at York this week before his return to Hong Kong. 'I'm certainly trying to get some more opportunities – I'm hoping to ride on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and I've got my agent Paul Clarke on the case to try and further bolster my book of rides,' added Bentley. Badel and Teetan join All-Star line-up in Japan Alexis Badel and Karis Teetan will compete at the World All-Star Jockeys (WASJ) at Sapporo Racecourse in Japan this weekend. Badel, who has been based out in Japan during the off season, will also be joined by Craig Williams, who rode Cap Ferrat to Group One glory in Hong Kong this season. It will be another competition for Teetan this off season, with the Mauritian also forming part of the Rest of the World team at the Shergar Cup meeting at Ascot earlier this month alongside Hugh Bowman. Joao Moreira won the event 12 months ago, with Teetan finishing fifth and Vincent Ho Chak-yiu finishing eighth. Bowman and Teetan fall foul of Ascot stewards The enormous difference between the whip rules in Hong Kong and the UK was highlighted last week when Hugh Bowman and Karis Teetan were banned for a combined 20 days for breaching the rules. Bowman, who won the Silver Saddle after being the leading rider at the meeting, was hit with 12 days for using his whip once above the permitted level, in the incorrect place and without giving one of his horses enough time to respond. Teetan was slapped with an eight-day ban for using his whip once above the permitted level.
South China Morning Post
11-08-2025
- South China Morning Post
Rebel's Romance bags another Group One as Sajir causes a huge $27 shock in France
Global sensation Rebel's Romance won his eighth Group One by regaining the Grosser Preis von Berlin (2,400m) at Hoppegarten on Sunday. Charlie Appleby's seven-year-old won four top-level races last year, - including the Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) at Sha Tin, - and has shown no signs of decline this campaign. Sent off as the $1.2 favourite after a pair of Group Two wins and a close Group One third at Ascot on his prior start, Rebel's Romance was always travelling best under Billy Loughnane and took over from long-time leader Junko 300m out. A global superstar! 💙 REBEL'S ROMANCE retains his Grosser Preis von Berlin crown in Germany to earn his eighth G1 for @godolphin. #WorldPool | @wettstar_de — World Pool (@WorldPool) August 10, 2025 That rival tried to battle back, but 2022 winner Rebel's Romance kept on strongly to win by three quarters of a length, providing 19-year-old Loughnane with his first Group One winner. 'It's a feeling I can't describe, a feeling of ecstasy. What a star of a horse. I'm very lucky to be riding in these colours and to have the opportunity to sit on a horse like this,' said Loughnane. 'He's a star of a horse. Big thanks to Will [Buick]. I spoke to him last night and he told me exactly what to do.' There was also simulcast action in France on Sunday, with Sajir causing a $27 boilover in the Group One Prix Maurice de Gheest (1,300m) at Deauville. Sajir springs a shock in the Group One Prix Maurice de Gheest! 🏆 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 10, 2025 As is customary, $1.5 favourite Lazzat went to the front under James Doyle as he looked to back up his impressive Royal Ascot victory and cement himself as the best sprinter in Europe. HK Racing News Get updates direct to your inbox Sign up Best Bets Racing News By registering you agree to our T&Cs & Privacy Policy Error: Please enter a valid email. The email address is already in use. Please login to subscribe. Error, please try again later. THANK YOU You are one the list. Instead, it was Sajir who stole the show for Oisin Murphy, going from last to first to run down Lazzat and provide Andre Fabre with his first win in the race. 'This is the first time I've had him at 100 per cent,' said Fabre. 'He's always had some minor issues, but today he was in perfect condition. 'It could not be better, and Prince Faisal is a great man. He's a great breeder and a great person, so I'm delighted for him.'
South China Morning Post
09-08-2025
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong winners Lazzat and Rebel's Romance the star acts on Sunday's simulcast cards
The Group One winners are favourites for top-level races in France and Germany respectively on Sunday Lazzat will take the next step in cementing himself as the best European sprinter when he goes for back to back wins in the Group One Prix Maurice de Gheest (1,300m) at Deauville on Sunday. The Jerome Reynier-trained speedster is a perfect three from three at the sprint trips and bagged his second top-level success when making all the running in the Group One Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1,200m) at Royal Ascot. He gave his connections a scare post race, however, unshipping his jockey James Doyle and providing fans with an unscheduled lap of honour. LAZZAT WINS THE QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE STAKES! 🏆 #ROYALASCOT — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 21, 2025 His Ascot win put him to the front of the pack in terms of European sprinters and he has drawn barrier three as he bids to follow up a dominant three-length success in this race from 12 months ago. 'He took fright at the blanket and ejected James Doyle before escaping, but fortunately there was no harm done,' Reynier said this week. 'He came out of his Ascot race very well. He adapts to everything, is used to Deauville and is ready to defend his title.' It will not be an easy task, however, with strong challengers from at home and abroad. The Prix Maurice de Gheest is one of the few Group One races that legendary trainer Andre Fabre is yet to win and Sajir, a Group Three winner at Newmarket two starts ago, will bid to put that right after being withdrawn at the start at Royal Ascot. The Abernant goes to France 🇫🇷 Sajir strikes for master trainer André Fabre and @oismurphy.@BlandfordBldstk | @NewmarketRace — Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 16, 2025 As for the raiders, the biggest danger is set to be the Kevin Ryan-trained Inisherin, an impressive winner of the Group One Commonwealth Cup (1,200m) at Royal Ascot last year. He ran out of steam when seventh to Lazzat at Ascot last time, but his trainer is confident of a return to form. 'It's unfortunate what happened in the July Cup, but that's past tense now, and it was always the plan after that to go to the Maurice de Gheest,' Ryan told the Nick Luck podcast. 'This is six-and-a-half furlongs, an extra half furlong, but it won't be a problem to him. He seems very well in himself and I'm looking forward to running him. I think the distance will really suit him.' Other leading contenders include Group One Prix Jean Prat (1,400m) winner Woodshauna and Godolphin's Shadow Of Light, who chased home that rival in fourth last time. WOODSHAUNA WINS THE PRIX JEAN PRAT! 🏆 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 6, 2025 There is also German action being simulcast on Sunday, with the Group One Grosser Preis von Berlin (2,400m) being the feature contest. One of the biggest races in the German calendar, it has been won by raiding horses in three of the last four years. Last year's Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) winner Rebel's Romance heads the field and is set to go off a very warm order for 2022's winning trainer Charlie Appleby. Junko, who won the 2023 Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m), is another big danger from abroad for trainer Andre Fabre. The home team is headed by last year's second Narrativo, who chased home the smart Al Riffa on that occasion, but he may have to settle for the same position with another strong group of raiders.
