Yiu confident of breaking more new ground with Voyage Bubble in the Gold Cup
Veteran handler chases his first Group One success at 2,000m: 'he'll be hard to beat'
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.
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