Bidding to thwart Golden Sixty’s quest for a fourth HK$22 million Gr1 FWD Champions Mile on 28 April, Voyage Bubble and Beauty Eternal limbered up for their clash with the Hong Kong’s champion with solid barrier trials at Sha Tin on Thursday.
HK$13 million Gr1 Stewards’ Cup winner Voyage Bubble had his most serious hit-out since his luckless 13th in the Gr1 Dubai Turf at Meydan on 30 March, finishing sixth this morning in 1m 10.31s over 1200m on Sha Tin’s dirt.
Voyage Bubble has a formidable record over Sha Tin’s 1600m course with three wins, a second, third and fourth. His best effort behind Golden Sixty came in the HK$32 million Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile last December when he was second to the city’s highest earner in history.
Voyage Bubble, winner of the 2023 BMW Hong Kong Derby, has proved remarkably consistent this preparation with a win and three minor placings before he had little room in running in Dubai and was hampered late in the race under Mickael Barzalona.
James McDonald reunites on Sunday week with the Deep Field gelding, who trainer Ricky Yiu has kept fit with trotting and swimming before today’s trial.
Beauty Eternal hits the line at Sha Tin under Zac Purton (Pic – HKJC)
John Size hopes Beauty Eternal can provide a fourth success in the HK$22 million feature, having struck previously with Electronic Unicorn (2003), Sight Winner (2009) and Contentment (2017).
The chestnut finished in fifth spot in the same hit-out, clocking 1m 10.31s. Stablemates Red Lion grabbed fourth in 1m 10.30s, while Howdeepisyourlove was second in 1m 09.84s.
With three wins over the course and distance and an overall record of eight victories and six minor placings from 16 starts, Beauty Eternal is now rated 119 in the handicaps, having arrived on a mark of 52.
Runner-up in the HK$5.35 million Gr2 Chairman’s Trophy on 7 April to Beauty Joy, Beauty Eternal ran second in the Stewards’ Cup behind Voyage Bubble on 21 January.
With 2024 BMW Hong Kong Derby winner Massive Sovereign entered to trial on Friday along with Straight Arron at Happy Valley ahead of the HK$28 million Gr1 FWD QEII Cup, the first of the 11 overseas contenders are scheduled to land in Hong Kong early on Friday.
Japanese quartet Elton Barows, Mad Cool, Prognosis and Sunrise Ronaldo are due to fly in from Osaka. The remainder of the international contingent – Believing, Brave Emperor, Dubai Honour, Champagne Color, Hishi Iguazu, North Bridge and Obamburumai – arrives over the weekend from London, Tokyo and Sydney.
