French gun Goliath and a superstar Japanese trio headline a seven-strong overseas attack on the Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) at Sha Tin this month, after the Jockey Club confirmed the expected fields for the three FWD Champions Day features.
Reigning Group One King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2,392m) winner Goliath will race at the New Territories track for the first time on April 27, while Prognosis, Liberty Island and Tastiera will jet in from the Land of the Rising Sun looking to build on past placings in the city.
Travelling warhorse Dubai Honour will represent the United Kingdom in the HK$28 million QE II Cup, while star Kiwi El Vencedor and Bahrain’s Calif round out the raiding party.
Last month’s BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) winner, Cap Ferrat, and fellow Classic Series star Rubylot headline a local team also featuring Straight Arron, Ensued, Winning Dragon, Moments In Time and La City Blanche.
Liberty Island gallops at Meydan last week. Photo: Kenneth Chan
There will also be a strong international flavour in the Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) and the Group One Champions Mile, with Australian superstar Mr Brightside joined by fellow Australian Royal Patronage, Japan’s Gaia Force, the UK’s Lake Forest and Bahrain’s Goemon in setting their sights on local star Voyage Bubble in the 1,600m feature.
Group One winner Beauty Eternal is also among the Hong Kong contingent for the Champions Mile, as is Classic Mile winner My Wish, Galaxy Patch, Beauty Joy, Chancheng Glory, Happy Together, Red Lion and Sunlight Power.
Japanese quartet Satono Reve, Lugal, Danon McKinley and A Shin Fencer make up the overseas attack on superstar local sprinter Ka Ying Rising.
Joining Ka Ying Rising in bidding to keep the bulk of the HK$22 million Chairman’s Sprint Prize bounty on home soil are the returning Lucky Sweynesse, California Spangle, Helios Express, Victor The Winner, Invincible Sage, Lucky With You, Copartner Prance, Beauty Waves and Magic Control.
Hong Kong Derby hero Cap Ferrat will run on Champions Day later this month. Photo: Kenneth Chan
In all, 20 individual Group One winners will vie for a share of the HK$74 million in prize money across the three Champions Day features.
“FWD Champions Day is one of the most pre-eminent fixtures on world racing’s calendar. We are delighted to have world-class representation from overseas and Hong Kong at our spring flagship meeting,” Andrew Harding, the Jockey Club’s executive director of racing, said.
“With 16 visitors from around the world, including Mr Brightside and Goliath, the might of Hong Kong’s team will be tested across the three Group One features.
“From Hong Kong’s perspective we can’t wait to see Ka Ying Rising step out. David Hayes’ exceptional sprinter has won his last 11 races, and adds an increasing layer of excitement this year, while Voyage Bubble has emerged and officially stamped his claim as our premier miler and middle-distance galloper – especially in Romantic Warrior’s absence in 2025.
“As well, our exciting four-year-olds – My Wish, Rubylot and Cap Ferrat – take on established stars in the FWD Champions Mile and FWD QE II Cup. FWD Champions Day is firmly established as one of world’s premier racing events and this year promises to be no exception.”
