Hong Kong Gold Cup - Double The Stakes Action
by Dick Powell
This coming Sunday, March 1 at Sha Tin Racecourse, you can double your pleasure with two important and lucrative stakes races that will be run on the Sha Tin turf course. As nearly all of the top races run around the world, they are part of the World Pool betting.
The HK$13 million (approx. US$ 1.66 million) G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup will be run at about 1 ¼ miles (2000m) around, two, right-handed turns. With a small field of six expected, there will be a short sprint to the first turn where the field will try to sort itself out. If someone wants to be aggressive and open up a wide lead, it’s there for the taking.
The world’s leading money earner, Romantic Warrior, is back to add to his historic tally. He won the Hong Kong Gold Cup in 2024 but was busy in his mid-East campaign last year at this time. Voyage Bubble stepped in and wound up sweeping all three legs of the 2024-25 Triple Crown. Setting it up for Sunday, Romantic Warrior beat Voyage Bubble back in November then they raced separately in the LONGINES races in December.
This season’s Hong Kong Triple Crown kicked off with the G1 Stewards Cup going a mile and Romantic Warrior was the easiest of winners. Voyage Bubble was third in a race that he won last year and now he has to face Romantic Warrior for a third time this season. The 1 ¼ mile distance doesn’t favor either one but would love to see Voyage Bubble open up as big of a lead as possible turning for home then try to stay on. The Triple Crown will conclude on May 24 with the HK$13 million (approx. US$ 1.66 million) G1 Champions & Chater Cup going 1 ½ miles (2400m).
The 4YO series has been delivering quantity and quality after the first leg, the Classic Mile, was won by Little Paradise despite him having to overcome heavy traffic in the straight and others being interfered with in the final furlong. It was an extremely fast race and when the dust settled, Little Paradise has emerged as the leader of the 4YOs at the moment.
The first four finishes from the Classic Mile are entered in the HK$13 million (approx. US$ 1.66 million) Hong Kong Classic Cup. Six others are also entered to try to change their luck with four newcomers. Beauty Bolt ran an encouraging race but laid in on Infinite Resolve which severely hampered Top Dragon. Top Dragon came back on February 19 to run a good second in a Class Two handicap going a mile in fast time.
Beauty Bolt’s best race was two starts ago against restricted Class Three runners. He had to carry 134 pounds from post 14 and just missed by a nose behind fellow rival Invincible Ibis as they covered the mile in 1:34.18 seconds. If he draws well, James McDonald can get him to relax better and save energy when it is most needed. Sagacious Life won the G1 Derby Paulista going 1 ½ miles (2400m) Brazil about 15 months ago so he should only benefit as the 4YO series increases in distance.
Numbers skipped the Classic Mile but has won his last two Hong Kong starts; one going 1 ¼ miles (2000m) against Class Two opponents then a fast win against group three types going today’s distance in fast time. He has brilliant speed and Derek Leung will throw down the gauntlet and dare them to catch him.