TRACKSIDE WORLDWIDE

Voyage Bubble's Triumph Leads A Blockbuster Weekend For Racing's Elite For months, two Hong Kong-based thoroughbreds have stolen international headlines, but on Sunday, March 26, it was the third star of the 2024–2025 season who possibly made the most convincing argument to be given Horse of the Year honours. Ka Ying Rising might be considered the world’s best sprinter, while Romantic Warrior has accumulated more prize money than any horse before him. Voyage Bubble’s Group One Champions & Charter victory, however, will live long in the memories of racing fans. He is now just the second horse in history to win Hong Kong’s Triple Crown, after previously finishing first in the Stewards’ Cup in January and the Hong Kong Gold Cup a month later. It was another dominant victory at Sha Tin on Sunday over 2400m for the six-year-old, with jockey James McDonald aboard. Voyage Bubble showed his signature speed in the straight, leaving a wall of runners to compete for second and third as he cruised past the finishing post. Despite his dominance this season, a win on Sunday was far from guaranteed after last month’s shock loss to John Size’s long shot Red Lion in the Champions Mile.

Speaking of the legendary trainer, Size celebrated a historic milestone of his own at a track where so many of his horses have shone in the big moments. Stellar Express’ win in the Group 3 Indigenous Handicap over 1000m gave the Australian trainer his 1600th win across his 25-year career in Hong Kong.

The victory also helps keep him ahead of David Hayes in the Trainers’ Championship, who is quickly closing the gap due to Size’s recent dry spell that saw him fail to secure a win from his previous 36 runners.

Good things usually come in threes, and another star of Hong Kong was expected to be celebrated on Sunday, but unforeseen circumstances led to Romantic Warrior being unable to attend a ceremony held in his honour. After returning home from his stint racing in Saudi Arabia and Dubai, a scan revealed minor health issues that saw him remain in the paddocks as he enjoys a well-earned spell. Hong Kong Jockey Club officials were quick to dispel any concerns that the injury was anything major and clarified that his absence on Sunday was merely a precautionary measure.

In Australia, the Group 1 Doomben Cup over 2000m was won by Antino in a dominant display that saw him break the track record over the distance. Blake Shinn piloted the rising star in a performance that also earned the jockey a record-breaking fourth Doomben Cup. To top it off, punters in the stands were ecstatic as a promotion on course linked to Antino winning the race meant that onlookers secured themselves a free pint. Antino’s performance has connections believing that he’s in with a decent chance at being one of the front-runners in this year’s Cox Plate, alongside reigning champion Via Sistina. No wonder, given the calibre of horses he beat comfortably in the race, including reigning Australian Horse of the Year Pride of Jenni, who finished 10th. The Doomben Cup took place on Saturday, March 24, as part of this year’s Queensland Racing Carnival, which sees eight Group One races take place across the Southern Hemisphere's winter months. written by Joe Bell