Sunday’s (23 November) Bank of China, Hong Kong (BOCHK) Race Day sees the jurisdiction’s preeminent horses clash at Sha Tin in three important lead-up races: the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m), HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) and HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m).

Horses seeking a start at the HK$130 million LONGINES Hong Kong International Races on 14 December feature, spearheaded by big names such as Romantic Warrior, Voyage Bubble and the world’s best sprinter Ka Ying Rising. New kid on the block My Wish will also aim to enhance his standing. 

The BOCHK Jockey Club Cup sees 10-time Group 1 winner Romantic Warrior, who will be ridden by James McDonald, meet Triple Crown hero Voyage Bubble. Romantic Warrior returns following an extended injury layoff; Voyage Bubble steps out after finishing 12th first-up in October’s HK$5.35 million G2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m).

Zac Purton, who pairs with Voyage Bubble, said: “The Sha Tin Trophy was a race that, at the weights, he was going to struggle to be competitive in. He was really just out there to start going through his preparation. I thought he ran well; he is a tough horse. It’s not going to knock him around; he’s handled it well and he feels good. I worked him this morning (Tuesday, 18 November) – he’s in pretty good shape.”

Purton was in the plate when the 2023 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) winner finished a courageous neck behind Romantic Warrior in the 2024 HK$13 million G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) – their only previous meeting at this course and distance, and a race Voyage Bubble dominated by close to four lengths in 2025.

Equally rated on 134, Voyage Bubble and Romantic Warrior combine for an astonishing 15 Group 1 victories and over HK$300 million in earnings. The middle-distance chiefs are both preparing for the HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) – a contest Romantic Warrior won in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

“The question mark was whether (Voyage Bubble) was going to run a mile and a half (2400m), and it’s probably a career-best performance. Maybe a mile and a quarter (2000m) and a mile and a half are what he’s always wanted, so he’s well placed and we’ll see how he goes. He relaxes really well, so he helps himself,” Purton said.

Romantic Warrior holds the world record for earnings (HK$214.70 million) and shares the title as the city’s most prolific Group 1 winner with 10 victories, equal to Golden Sixty. Ricky Yiu’s Voyage Bubble is chasing a third 2000m win in the BOCHK Jockey Club Cup.

Derek Leung links with four-time Group 1 winner Lucky Sweynesse in the BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint. The pair finished 11th in Japan’s G1 Sprinters Stakes (1200m) in September.

“He’s trialled twice since coming back from Japan. Last time, we trialled him on the dirt, he trialled good, and he’s more relaxed than before. We’re all happy,” Leung said.

Seeking one of the final two LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship positions available, Leung, who has six wins this season, is engaged with four rides at Happy Valley tonight (Wednesday, 19 November) as he aims to nab Vincent Ho (eight wins) for the spot open to the highest-ranked local rider.

Undefeated in Australia with three wins, Loyal Bright (who formerly raced as La Raza), debuts in the Class 3 Cotton Handicap (1200m) for trainer Frankie Lor following several impressive barrier trials.

“He was trialling good and, in every trial, he was improving. It’s his first time going to Happy Valley, so it’s a bit unknown. He is a big horse with a big stride, who needs time to keep his balance. I think the pace and everything, if it is suitable, that he should run well,” Leung said.

Lor saddles Happy Together in Sunday’s BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile after the Dragon Pulse gelding placed second behind Encountered in the HK$4.2 million G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap (1800m) earlier this month.

“He’s always second, second, but he’s still in good form. He’s quite unlucky – he’s been second in three out of his last five starts. He is a consistent horse, he’s in good form and anything can happen,” Lor said.

Wednesday’s (19 November) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley kicks off at 6.40pm with the second section of the Class 4 So Kon Po Handicap (1200m).