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| Staff Writer |
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Zac Purton is teaming up with Voyage Bubble for the prestigious Group One Yasuda Kinen on 2nd June. Ricky Yiu Poon-fai has given the green light for this ambitious venture at Tokyo racecourse.
After seven years, Purton returns to Japan, ready to ride Voyage Bubble again following the horse's impressive third-place finish in the Group One Champions Mile.
Both Yiu and Purton have tasted success at the highest levels in Japan before. Purton, a six-time champion jockey, notably won the Group One Takamatsunomiya Kinen on Aerovelocity in 2015 under Tony Cruz's training. They are eager for this new challenge.
“Anytime we get to go over there we enjoy it so I’m looking forward to going back,” Purton said. “Voyage Bubble would have had a little bit more time to get over his run in Dubai so I think the timing of the race should suit him well.”
Finishing second only to Golden Sixty in December's prestigious Gr.1 Hong Kong Mile with James McDonald in the saddle, Voyage Bubble claimed victory at the highest echelon in January's Gr.1 Stewards' Cup, displaying dominance as it surged past Beauty Eternal.
In the subsequent Gr.1 Hong Kong Gold Cup, the 5YO, guided by Purton, was narrowly edged out by Romantic Warrior, trained by Danny Shum Chap-shing, in a gripping finish, falling short by a mere neck.
Opting for a change of scenery, trainer Yiu decided to test his prized asset in Meydan for the Gr.1 Dubai Turf come March, entrusting Frenchman Mickael Barzalona with the reins. However, Voyage Bubble's fortunes turned sour as it encountered misfortune from gate one, resulting in a disappointing 13th-place finish.
“When they first come back from Dubai, the Champions meeting comes up a little bit quick for them and sometimes they’re not at their best,” Purton said after Voyage Bubble finished third in the Champions Mile. “But, having a little bit more time will suit him.”
Purton is aiming for a triumphant third attempt at the Yasuda Kinen, having previously placed ninth with Fellowship in 2010 and sixth with Beauty Only in his most recent Japanese excursion in 2017.
With 19 victories out of 107 runs in Japan, Purton faces the challenge of surpassing Romantic Warrior to bolster his track record. The decision on Romantic Warrior's participation in the Group One mile race, valued at around HK$19.7 million, is pending, with trainer Shum and connections deliberating their options, including the Gr.1 Takarazuka Kinen three weeks later or a well-deserved break.
While James McDonald has been a consistent presence in the saddle for both Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble this season, his recent commitment to Shum's superstar prompted Yiu to secure Purton's services.
Yiu, seeking his second triumph in Japan following his victory with Ultra Fantasy in the 2010 Group One Sprinters Stakes, remains hopeful about Voyage Bubble's prospects, noting the continued improvement of his talented galloper as they prepare for the journey.
“He’s very good and he looks better day after day,” Yiu said. “His attitude and willingness just keep getting better.
“He’s an intelligent horse and I don’t see going left-handed making much of a difference to him, but we don’t want to be drawn one again.”