Bidding to add momentum to his stable’s 2025/26 campaign with a positive showing at National Day Raceday tomorrow (Wednesday, 1 October), Ricky Yiu expects champion galloper Voyage Bubble to improve significantly from an easy barrier trial at Sha Tin this morning (Tuesday, 30 September).

Last season’s Hong Kong Champion Miler and Hong Kong Champion Stayer, Voyage Bubble finished fourth in the 1200m dirt trial behind Invincible Shield – who clocked in 1m 10.62s – ahead of his expected return in the HK$5.35 million G2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) on 19 October.

Ridden by Matthew Poon, Voyage Bubble settled near the tail of the field before the five-time Group 1 winner made up several lengths in the straight, crossing two and three-quarter lengths behind Invincible Shield, who led home Monarch County and Galaxy Patch.

Yiu said: “I think this trial was better than his last trial. In the straight, he made up ground and the feedback from Matthew Poon was that the horse enjoyed the trial and had a bit of a blow.

“He probably won’t have another trial before he races, maybe just a good grass gallop.”

Poon said last season’s Hong Kong Triple Crown champion – with victories in the G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m), G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) and G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) – had scope for improvement.

“He felt good, sharp and fresh,” Poon said. “He jumped well and he trialled good and, at this stage, we are happy with how he goes and we still have a little bit of time. I’m really, really looking forward to this race (the Sha Tin Trophy). I trust him and I hope he can run really well.”

Following the Sha Tin Trophy, and a mouth-watering clash with last Sunday’s G3 Celebration Cup Handicap (1400m) winner My Wish, Voyage Bubble will contest the G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on 23 November.

Yiu will then aim for a second victory in the HK$36 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) on 14 December before another tilt at the Hong Kong Triple Crown.

“We’ll try to follow the same path as last season,” Yiu said.

G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) winner Red Lion was given an easy trial by Hugh Bowman in today’s opening barrier trial, finishing seventh to Invincible Shield, beaten five-and-a-quarter lengths.

Hong Kong champion trainer in 2019/20, Yiu will saddle five runners – Sea Emerald, The Concentration, Floof, Hayday and Prestige Ricky – at the National Day Raceday.

Wednesday’s (1 October) National Day Raceday starts with the Class 5 Shenyang Handicap (1400m) at 1pm.