An intimidating overseas contender and the prospect of a first Triple Crown hero in over 30 years isn’t dampening Hugh Bowman’s excitement ahead of Sunday afternoon’s (25 May) HK$13 million G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) at Sha Tin. 

Preparing to ride Rubylot in the 12th and final Group 1 race of the season against Great Britain’s Dubai Honour, Triple Crown pursuant Voyage Bubble and others, Bowman is eagerly looking forward to seeing how the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) winner measures up in his first race run beyond 2000m.

Trained by David Hayes, Rubylot was fifth to Cap Ferrat in the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m). His latest effort saw the 100-rater finish an impeded sixth in the HK$28 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m). This weekend’s rivals Ensued and Cap Ferrat beat him in the FWD QEII Cup on 27 April, finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.

Bowman said: “I picked up the ride in the QEII Cup a little by default. I won on him over 1000 metres last season and I thought being by Rubick that maybe his stamina might give out at the 2000. He should have run in the first four with clear running in the straight in the QEII Cup. I thought his best work was through the line.

“I think Voyage Bubble is the best of the locals and Dubai Honour comes in and that adds some spice. I think, Rubylot, is an up-and-coming horse for the jurisdiction. He’s had a great season and he’s sort of gone under the radar this season right the way through.”

Rubylot is a son of Rubick, a Group 2-winning sprinter in Australia, while his dam Emirates Comfort was a placegetter in Great Britain beyond 2400m. Rubylot’s half-brother is Sunlight Power, a three-time winner this season for trainer Ricky Yiu.   

“If Dubai Honour brings his best, he’s probably too good. If Voyage Bubble brings his best then he’ll probably be too tough, too. I do think the distance will test him (Voyage Bubble),” Bowman said. “I was so happy with him (Rubylot) the QEII Cup. I hopped off and recommended to David that he have a think about this race. I think he’s a hell of a chance.”

One of world racing’s best ever riders with over 100 Group 1 wins, Bowman is famed for success with Winx in Australia and Hong Kong stars Werther, Lucky Bubbles, Russian Emperor and Helios Express. He is a dual BMW Hong Kong Derby winner with Werther (2016) and Furore (2019).

Voyage Bubble’s run at history sees him aim to become Hong Kong’s second Triple Crown winner in history after River Verdon (1993/94). The Triple Crown isn’t age restricted in Hong Kong and comprises the HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m), HK$13 million G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) and Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup across a five-month period.

Success in all three legs rewards connections with a cheque for HK$10 million. Ambitious Dragon came close to winning the Triple Crown, finishing a close second to Liberator in the 2012 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup as favourite after capturing the first two legs.