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| Staff Writer |
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Voyage Bubble is seeking a magnificent seventh career triumph in Sunday's US$685,000 Gr.2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile at Sha Tin, as Ricky Yiu unleashes a powerful four-pronged attack across the Group Two triple-header.
The versatile 6YO, whose victories span from 1200m to 2000m, boasts an impressive strike rate with 15 top-three finishes from 20 outings, including January's US$1.66m Gr.1 Stewards' Cup over the mile.
James McDonald, who steered Voyage Bubble to his Stewards' Cup glory, reunites with the gelding following unplaced efforts in Dubai and Japan. The partnership looks to recapture their winning form after a closing second to Galaxy Patch in October's US$685,000 Gr.2 Sha Tin Trophy.
Previous winners of this prestigious contest include the legendary Golden Sixty, who used this as a springboard to multiple Group One successes, and Beauty Generation, who captured this en route to his record-breaking season.
"All my horses love being at Conghua. I went up to see his trial and he did really well. He's full of beans – I asked the rider just to give him a nice and easy trial because the main thing is to keep him happy and make sure he enjoys himself," Yiu said.
The Deep Field gelding caught the eye when fifth in 1m 12.44s over Conghua's 1200m turf course last Tuesday, preparing for his ultimate target - the US$4.61m Gr.1 Longines Hong Kong Mile, where he finished runner-up to Golden Sixty last term.
Adding depth to Yiu's assault, recent acquisition Straight Arron enters the fray sporting Group Two-winning credentials over 2000m. The Fastnet Rock gelding made an encouraging stable debut when fourth in the Sha Tin Trophy.
"He's surprising. He's in really good form and his preparation has been magnificent," Yiu observed of the 115-rated galloper, who retains the services of Brenton Avdulla.
Yiu's Sunday team also features Nimble Nimbus and Awesome Fluke in the US$685,000 Gr.2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup. Nimble Nimbus, a Gr.3 Centenary Vase victor, looks to build on his recent fifth in the Sa Sa Ladies' Purse, while dual 2000m winner Awesome Fluke aims to improve on two third-place finishes this term.
The trainer's hand extends further with multiple entries across the card, including the US$685,000 Gr.2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint, completing a fascinating day of Group Two action at Sha Tin.