Latest news with #GroupOneQEIICup
South China Morning Post
27-04-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Record tourist numbers flock to Champions Day, but star filly's death mutes celebrations
Punters cheer the start of the Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Photos: Kenneth Chan A record number of tourists flocked to Sha Tin for FWD Champions Day on Sunday, with Jockey Club chief Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges hailing the event a success despite the death of superstar Japanese filly Liberty Island. Crowd numbers were up 37.5 per cent year on year, the club said. Fans, meanwhile, wagered north of HK$1.5 billion, which was 3.34 per cent down on 12 months ago, a dip the CEO attributed somewhat to the absence of local star Romantic Warrior. And while the club celebrated following such a big event, they were muted after Liberty Island broke down in the Group One QE II Cup (2,000m). The five-year-old suffered a leg injury in the feature and had to be euthanised. 'We normally celebrate with champagne but I feel today in honour of the tremendous filly that this is not the right thing to do. I'm really sad about that but unfortunately this is part of racing,' Engelbrecht-Bresges said. 'I want to really honour a filly like Liberty Island, who was one of the great race fillies.' Among a bustling crowd of 41,943 at Sha Tin were nearly 10,000 tourists, with the club's collaboration with the China Travel Service and a pilot of a soon-to-be-launched tour initiative for high-end visitors contributing to the numbers. There was also a 12-strong group from Australia travelling with Ontrack Racing Tours, with the Jockey Club estimating each person would inject HK$70,000 into the Hong Kong economy. 'We had a record for Champions Day of 8,244 mainland visitors and we had nearly 1,100 overseas visitors coming,' Engelbrecht-Bresges said, adding there had been a 'targeted test where we had 200 high-net-worth people from Japan'. Engelbrecht-Bresges said while the tests were 'not the full monty', the club hoped to roll the initiative out in collaboration with the Hong Kong Tourism Board in the next few weeks. 'Then we have the collaboration with the China Travel Group, who were responsible for a lot of people here today, and that will go even further,' the CEO said. Engelbrecht-Bresges was full of praise for the HKJC team's 'terrific effort to put a marvellous event on' even without Romantic Warrior running in the QE II Cup, which he said was a difference of around HK$40 million in betting terms. 'I think today's race meeting had a tremendous atmosphere and we saw tremendous performances on the track,' Engelbrecht-Bresges said. 'The feedback we got from everybody was that this was a really successful meeting. We dialled up the entertainment and it was a tremendous atmosphere.' HE DOES IT AGAIN! 🚀 Ka Ying Rising makes it 12 straight wins, four Group 1s and a HK$5 million Speed Series bonus with victory in the 2025 Chairman's Sprint Prize... @zpurton #FWDChampionsDay | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 27, 2025 On the track, Ka Ying Rising was the star attraction with his victory in the Group One Chairman's Sprint Prize (1,200m), while rank outsider Red Lion also did the locals proud in the Group One Champions Mile and Tastiera flew the flag for Japan by taking out the Group One QE II Cup (2,000m). 'Today there was one performance which was completely dominant and we are very glad we have, I would humbly say, by far the best sprinter in the world. He showed how good he is and that created a tremendous atmosphere,' Engelbrecht-Bresges said of Ka Ying Rising. 'We feel that Hong Kong racing is going, despite significant geopolitical and economic issues, from strength to strength. 'We look forward to even more horses coming to Hong Kong to make this day even bigger than it is currently, even if I would say it is the biggest [Champions Day] that we have had for a long period of time and we see it as a success.'
South China Morning Post
27-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Tastiera spearheads Japanese quinella in QE II Cup marred by loss of Liberty Island
Japan reigned supreme once again in the Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) with a quinella spearheaded by Tastiera, but the success was dampened by the loss of the Land of the Rising Sun's star filly Liberty Island. Third to Romantic Warrior in December's Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m), the Noriyuki Hori-trained Tastiera improved in his second trip to the city to claim a second elite-level success ahead of Japan's ever-consistent Prognosis. But the result was soured by Liberty Island's death, with the 2023 Triple Tiara hero euthanized after breaking down in the straight after tearing sesamoid ligaments in her left front leg. Ridden brilliantly by Australian jockey Damian Lane, Tastiera worked forward from gate 10 to settle one off in fourth before peeling out three wide to make his run at the top of the straight. The five-year-old powered clear once hitting the front approaching the 300m, scoring by a length and three quarters to add to his only previous Group One success in the Japanese Derby (2,400m) in 2023. 'Noriyuki Hori is an amazing conditioner of horses and this horse is just a star,' said Lane, who also won the Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) on Japan's Win Marilyn in 2022. 'A great success for [owners] Carrot Farm. It's just a privilege. It's what it's all about. I just feel privileged and lucky to be here on this day, let alone having great chances on these horses. 'It is what being a jockey is all about, competing on these big international carnivals. It's very rewarding.' Brown-lamped late in betting from $8.3 to $3.7, Tastiera proved too slick for the $3.5 favourite Prognosis, who ran second in the QE II Cup for the third straight year. The prolific Group One placegetter ran on strongly from last under James McDonald but was no match for Tastiera. Bahrain's Calif was close behind in third, while French star Goliath could only manage ninth after copping a heavy bump from Rubylot at the 300m. Tastiera became Japan's fifth QE II Cup winner following the successes of Loves Only You (2021), who led home a famous first four for the Land of the Rising Sun, Win Bright (2019), the Hori-trained and Carrot Farm-owned Neorealism (2017) and Rulership (2012). Hori has enjoyed plenty of success in Hong Kong, having also won the Group One Champions Mile and Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) with Maurice and the Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) with Satono Crown in 2016. 'It's been a while since my last runner in Hong Kong, but I'm very grateful to win today,' Hori said. 'In my stable, only Maurice won in his first trip to Hong Kong. Since [Tastiera's] third in the Hong Kong Cup we targeted this race considering he was suitable to the track conditions and change in environment.' Hori said Tastiera was likely to return to Hong Kong for another tilt at December's Hong Kong Cup. McDonald, who had to settle for second in his bid for a third straight QE II Cup, rued Prognosis' slow start. 'Just his barrier manners let him down. He ran well,' McDonald said. Jockey Adrie de Vries was thrilled with Calif's performance. 'He jumped into the bridle a little bit too soon in the turn and I had to take him back strongly, but after that he picked up nice and we are more than happy,' De Vries said. 'He finished off the race well, back to his old form.' Zac Purton said New Zealand star El Vencedor raced too keenly in front before fading to finish last.
South China Morning Post
27-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Bumper Champions Day to feature ‘best international line-up we have had'
There may be no Romantic Warrior, but Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges remains confident Sunday's FWD Champions Day will be the best yet. While local hero Romantic Warrior, the world's highest-earning racehorse, is enjoying a break after a tough overseas campaign, superstars Ka Ying Rising and Voyage Bubble will fly the Bauhinia flag and a record 14 international gallopers will grace the Sha Tin turf across Sunday's three features. 'I personally think it has grown and even if you compare it to before Covid, probably this is the best international line-up we have had,' Engelbrecht-Bresges said of Champions Day, which was introduced by the Jockey Club in 2018. 'We are delighted with the Australian participation and you probably can't have a more popular horse than Mr Brightside. This will create huge interest. 'We are really delighted with how this has shaped up and having 14 international runners, we are heading the right way.' Sunday's richest race, the HK$28 million Group One QE II Cup (2,000m), will feature six international raiders in three-time winner Romantic Warrior's absence, with French giant Goliath shaping up against crack Japanese trio Prognosis, Tastiera and Liberty Island. World's Best Sprinter!? We certainly think so. 🌏 Ka Ying Rising dazzles at Sha Tin, lowering his track record to 1m 07.20s for 1200m with a ninth straight win and second Group 1 in the Centenary Sprint Cup... @zpurton #SpeedSeries | #TripleCrown | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 19, 2025 New Zealand's El Vencedor, to be ridden by Zac Purton, and Bahrain's Calif complete the overseas contingent, while it's a pair of four-year-old's who are perhaps the most interesting of the local brigade. Cap Ferrat will look to become the first horse since Romantic Warrior in 2022 to do the Hong Kong Derby (2,000m)-QE II Cup double in the same season, while Classic Cup winner Rubylot looks open to further improvement. Straight Arron won the key local lead-up race, the Group Two Chairman's Trophy (1,600m), and is not without a chance for the home team, but the reality is it would require a significant upset to prevent the lion's share of the QE II Cup riches heading abroad. A nine-time Group One winner for Ben, Will & JD Hayes in Australia, Mr Brightside has finally made it to Hong Kong after numerous false starts, and he is joined by another galloper trained Down Under, Royal Patronage, in the Group One Champions Mile. Japan's Gaia Force and Goemon of Bahrain also line-up in the HK$24 million feature, but the internationals will have their work cut out beating Ricky Yiu Poon-fai's brilliant miler Voyage Bubble. With the Group One Hong Kong Mile and Group One Stewards' Cup already in the bag, Voyage Bubble can join exalted company by sweeping all three of Hong Kong's elite-level 1,600m contests in the same season. No Golden Sixty this year! 😏 Second in the 2023 renewal, Voyage Bubble takes the @LONGINES Hong Kong Mile with @mcacajamez for Ricky Yiu! #HKIR | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) December 8, 2024 Mark Newnham's My Wish, an agonising second in the Derby, and Galaxy Patch are also among the local hopes in what promises to be a mouthwatering Champions Mile. History awaits for Ka Ying Rising in the Group One Chairman's Sprint Prize (1,200m), with the David Hayes-trained speedster looking to join Beauty Generation and Lucky Sweynesse as eight-time winners in a single Hong Kong season. Standing in Ka Ying Rising's way is perennial bridesmaid Helios Express and a quartet of Japanese speedsters headlined by Satono Reve, who finished third behind Ka Ying Rising in December's Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m) and will be ridden by fan favourite Joao Moreira. While a fourth straight Group One win from Ka Ying Rising would no doubt mean plenty for Hayes senior, it's certainly not the only result capable of making the Australian Hall of Fame trainer's day on Sunday. 'I'd say if Brightside managed to win it would be one of my proudest and happiest moments in racing,' said Hayes in reference to the galloper trained by his sons.
South China Morning Post
25-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Japanese trio ready to make hay while Romantic Warrior is away
The last time the Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) was run without the Hong Kong superstar, gallopers from the Land of the Rising Sun filled the first four placings The last time the Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) was run without Romantic Warrior, brilliant mare Loves Only You headed up a Japanese first four in the richest of the three FWD Champions Day features. This Sunday, it's very possible gallopers from the Land of the Rising Sun fill the trifecta. In 2021, Loves Only You led Glory Vase, Daring Tact and Kiseki over the line to not only complete a Japanese domination of that year's edition of the QE II Cup but also continue an impressive run of three victories in five years for the country. Now, with three-time QE II Cup champion Romantic Warrior enjoying a breather after a demanding campaign in the Middle East, three gallopers who know what it's like to chase home the world's highest-earning racehorse will get their chance to shine in his absence. Liberty Island and Tastiera, who filled the placings behind Romantic Warrior in December's Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m), are firmly in the market, while Prognosis – runner-up in the past two QE II Cups – is also among the leading hopes. While they must beat French heavyweight Goliath, New Zealand's El Vencedor and local runners Rubylot and Cap Ferrat, among others, the Japanese trio have the form on the board in Hong Kong and look poised to continue their country's strong association with the race. Joao Moreira, who snared the 2017 QE II Cup for Japan aboard Neorealism, is expecting the Japanese contingent to be 'very hard to beat'. While the star Brazilian jockey will ride rank outsider Moments In Time in the HK$28 million feature, he's spent plenty of time riding in Japan recently and he has a big opinion of a horse he has previously ridden on race day. 'I saw Tastiera this morning and he looked stunning and shining. On my pick, I think he will be the horse to beat, but racing is racing and you never know what is going to happen,' said the Magic Man. While the QE II Cup honour roll is littered with successful overseas raiders, Moreira's mount Satono Reve and three other Japanese speedsters are looking to become only the second international winners of the Group One Chairman's Sprint Prize (1,200m) after Australia's Chautauqua. It's a similar story in the Group One Champions Mile, with leading overseas hope Mr Brightside looking to buck a trend that has seen only Variety Club (2014) and Maurice (2016) deny the locals in the race's 24-year existence. El Vencedor ticking along nicely Zac Purton and James McDonald have been trading blows at the pointy end of Hong Kong's biggest races for some time now and the star Australian will look to get one up on his Kiwi rival by spearing New Zealand-trained rival El Vencedor to victory in Sunday's QE II Cup. While El Vencedor, who shrugged off a hoof abscess earlier this week, proved difficult for Purton to kick into gear on Thursday morning, his eventual work over 1,200m on the turf pleased trainer Stephen Marsh. 'All happy. It was good to have Zac on today to get a feel for him. As you can see, he has got a massive grandstand to look at here and it took him a little while to get going but once he got going, he is still not fully concentrating,' said Marsh of El Vencedor, who drew barrier one at Thursday's draw. 'Now he has had that good look, it will bring him on beautifully and that's all he really wanted.'
South China Morning Post
24-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hayes family ‘very happy' with Champions Day barriers, while other leading hopes draw wide
Connections after the Group One Chairman's Sprint Prize (1,200m) barrier draw at Sha Tin on Thursday morning. Photos: Kenneth Chan The Hayes family walked away from Thursday morning's FWD Champions Day barrier draw grinning from ear to ear, while star local miler Voyage Bubble and three of the leading Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) hopes will have to overcome wide gates at Sha Tin on Sunday. Ka Ying Rising will jump from gate four in his bid for a 12th straight win and fourth Group One success of the season – the lowest gate the world's best sprinter has been handed since February last year. 'I'm very happy after the barrier draw. It's the first time he's drawn a marble for a long time,' said David Hayes of his red-hot Group One Chairman's Sprint Prize (1,200m) favourite. 'Just looking at it briefly, I think the three inside him [A Shin Fencer, Danon McKinley and Beauty Waves], he's a bit faster than them – he's faster than most horses, really. He'll get the rail and Zac [Purton] will be able to choose whether he takes a sit or takes it up.' David Hayes looks to have a mortgage on the Chairman's Sprint Prize and his sons Ben, Will & JD were handed a boost when Australian superstar Mr Brightside drew gate two for the Group One Champions Mile and race favourite Voyage Bubble was lumped with gate 10. 'Barrier two is a good draw – we're a bit more relaxed after the barrier draw,' said Ben Hayes. 'He's been a touch unlucky this prep – he's drawn wide barriers where we've had to make decisions and put him in the race and he's raced very well,' Hayes added of the nine-time Group One winner. 'Barrier two just gives Craig [Williams] more options. In Hong Kong generally the tempo is that little bit faster so he might be able to take a sit or he might end up out in front.' While Voyage Bubble will jump from his widest gate of the season in his pursuit of a fourth consecutive Group One triumph, trainer Ricky Yiu Poon-fai is confident jockey James McDonald will take the barrier out of the equation. 'I would rather him draw slightly wider than inside. We will travel midfield somewhere and if we're lucky we can [sit] one-off, or otherwise three wide with cover. James knows him really well and I don't think the draw will be a problem,' said Yiu. Voyage Bubble and Mr Brightside dominate Champions Mile betting but Hong Kong Derby runner-up My Wish is also in single figures in fixed-odds markets after scoring the inside alley. 'It was a bit of a relief, actually,' trainer Mark Newnham said of My Wish, who was a tragedy beaten from gate 14 in the Derby after snaring the Classic Mile two starts earlier. 'Barrier one is great. It gives Luke [Ferraris] some options and, as he's shown through the season, he's a pretty versatile horse.' The overseas raiding party were very much hit with the visitors draws for the QE II Cup, with Japanese pair Liberty Island and Tastiera, who filled the placings behind Romantic Warrior in December's Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m), hit with gates 11 and 10, respectively, while French gun Goliath will begin from stall nine. At the other end of the spectrum, Purton will have gate one at his disposal aboard Kiwi galloper El Vencedor and the other Japanese runner in the race, Prognosis, looks well placed out of gate six under McDonald.
