The racing world will converge on Sha Tin in Hong Kong on Sunday for FWD Champions Day, featuring two of the highest-rated horses globally: Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior. Both gallopers boast dedicated fan clubs, and memorabilia associated with these champions is expected to sell out rapidly during the event.
Chairman's Sprint Prize: Ka Ying Rising Seeks 20th Straight Win
The world's highest-rated sprinter, Ka Ying Rising, aims for a staggering 20th consecutive victory in the six-furlong G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize (7.35am), worth £2.25 million. The eight-time Group One winner, in jockey Zac Purton's own words, produced a career-best performance when breaking the track record for the third time in the Group Two Sprint Cup earlier this month. It is inconceivable that he will be beaten. Helios Express, Japanese speedster Satono Reve, and Fast Network are expected to contest the runner-up spot. Preference goes to Fast Network, with James McDonald back in the saddle, who could surprise and claim second place.
QEII Cup: A Heavyweight Showdown
The main event, the ten-furlong G1 QEII Cup (9.55am) worth £2.8 million, sets up like a world heavyweight boxing match reminiscent of Muhammad Ali versus Joe Frazier. In the blue corner stands Romantic Warrior, a 13-time Group One winner who has won 14 of his 16 races over this distance. He holds the title of the world's highest-earning galloper and seeks a fourth consecutive QEII Cup victory. In the red corner is Japanese challenger Masquerade Ball, the reigning Japanese Derby winner and the highest-rated visitor to Hong Kong in the past 20 years, with an official rating of 128. Last November, he narrowly missed out to the world's top turf galloper, Calandagan, in the G1 Japan Cup. The outcome is anyone's guess, but heart may rule over head, with Romantic Warrior getting the verdict thanks to home turf advantage.
Sosie: The French Wildcard
The fly in the ointment is top-class French challenger Sosie, winner of the twelve-furlong G1 Hong Kong Vase last December. The drop back in distance may concern some, but with Numbers in the lineup expected to set a searching gallop from the off, Sosie could benefit from a race run to suit his style.
Pointers for Sunday
- Forecast: Ka Ying Rising and Fast Network (7.35am, Sha Tin)
- Romantic Warrior (9.55am, Sha Tin)
