Spotlight on Romantic Warrior, Ka Ying Rising
The highlight of Champions Day – the HK$30 million Group 1 FWD QEII Cup over 2000m – sets the stage for a clash of titans at Sha Tin this Sunday, as local champion Romantic Warrior takes on Japanese star Masquerade Ball and reigning Hong Kong Vase winner Sosie.
Romantic Warrior has remained unbeaten in four local starts since returning from his Middle East campaign in early 2025, most recently completing a hat-trick at the highest level in the Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup over this distance 56 days ago. The Danny Shum-trained star has not only dominated the local scene but has also proven himself on the world stage, collecting multiple Group 1 victories abroad. In his current vein of form, he looks primed to secure a fourth QEII Cup title.
Masquerade Ball, with four wins from just eight starts, is already a Group 1 winner, having captured the Tenno Sho (Autumn) two runs ago. He followed that up with a gallant second to Calandagan – rated the world’s best racehorse of 2025 – last time out. If he can reproduce that level of performance at Sha Tin, it would be no surprise to see him extend Japan’s strong recent record in this race following Tastiera’s victory last year.
Sosie, who has not raced since his emphatic Hong Kong Vase win in December, boasts an impressive record of four wins from eight starts at the highest level. His outstanding first-up strike rate of 83% further enhances his claims, and he is capable of giving Romantic Warrior and Masquerade Ball a genuine challenge, even if the 2000m trip may be slightly short of his best.
In a relatively small field of eight runners, the world’s best sprinter Ka Ying Rising looks poised to claim the HK$24 million Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize.
Ka Ying Rising has made history as the first horse to record 19 consecutive wins in Hong Kong, and that remarkable streak shows no signs of ending. So dominant has he become that the focus has shifted from whether he will win to by how far he will win – and whether he might break the track record again.
Sent off at minimum odds in each of his last five starts, the son of Shamexpress cruised to victory in the Group 2 Sprint Cup last time out, stopping the clock at 1:07.12 to set yet another Sha Tin 1200m track record.
On paper, this shapes as a one-horse race, with Ka Ying Rising having already accounted for most of his rivals on multiple occasions. Consistent sprinter Helios Express and Japanese raider Satono Reve appear the most likely to fill the minor placings. – iRACE Magazine
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Prestige Hall ran on well in a slowly run race last start, and with a better draw, he looks primed to break through with Bow- man aboard. Lucrative Eight turned in an eye-catching debut run and is open to further improvement with added experience. The Heir ap- pears overdue for another win and must be respected with Moreira in the saddle. A Time For Us was hindered by a wide draw last start and should be right in the mix from a favourable gate. Matzden has honest form in Class 3 and looks one to watch dropping to Class 4, especially with Mark Zahra taking the reins.
Race 2: Turin Champions will relish the drop to Class 4, where his best form lies, and the booking of Purton is another positive. Big Return has drawn well to secure back-to-back victories after overcoming a wide draw to score an impressive win last start. Jolly Brilliant stormed home for third off a slow tempo last start and must be included among the better chances. Circuit Marshal showed marked improvement last start but repeating that performance from a wide draw is a concern. Amazing Award has been in consistent form and could cause an upset with Ethan Brown aboard.
Race 3: Absolute Heart made all to score on debut at long odds last start, and the sectional data suggests it was no fluke. Solid Car has trialled well for his return and should run well fresh given his strong previous form. Mr Incredible was held up at a crucial stage last start, and with a smoother run, he could make amends from a favourable draw. Happy Promise ran on strongly in a recent trial and shapes as an intriguing debutant with J-Mac aboard. Better And Better heavily backed and duly saluted last start, and it pays to follow the market again.
Race 4: King Dance scored his first win on turf in style last start, and a double looks within reach from a good draw. Robot Star let down well to finish second last time out and will make his presence felt again if the pace suits. Nyx Gluck attacked the line strongly late last start and looks capable of bouncing back at any time in this grade. Star Mac resuming after a bleeding attack, he could cause an upset at his second attempt in Class 4. Star Figure has recorded fast final sectionals in recent starts and is worth considering as a value pick.
Race 5: Ka Ying Rising the world’s best sprinter looks set to claim his 20th straight win in this Group 1 feature and simply appears unstoppable. Helios Express has been a consistent bridesmaid to Ka Ying Rising and looks a strong contender for runner-up. Satono Reve a two-time G1 winner from Japan, he must be respected with Moreira aboard, but a second-place finish looks more likely. Fast Network suited by the drop back in distance and could sneak into the placings at long odds. Comanche Brave finished third in a G2 feature at Riyadh last start and could place at best.
Race 6: Cool Boy a promising 3YO in strong form, he shapes as a leading contender with Purton aboard, despite the wide draw. Geneva both his runs have been encouraging since returning from a long break in March, and he should play a key role. Celestial Hero eased in the ratings and looks capable of securing a spot in the Top 3 under Moreira, particularly form a good draw. Lifeline Express likely settled too close to the speed last start, and with a more patient ride, he could surprise at odds. Circuit Grand Slam his last run was better than it looks given the wide trip, and the drop in class works in his favour.
Race 7: Invincible Ibis the reigning Hong Kong Derby champion should enjoy a smooth trip from a good draw under J-Mac and go close, with several of his main rivals drawn wide. Little Paradise with a blistering turn of foot, he will make his presence felt late, provided he jumps cleanly from a low draw. My Wish was narrowly beaten in a G2 feature last start, but will need some luck from a wide draw. Voyage Bubble his dominance appears to have waned this season, but he remains a strong contender, especially with blinkers applied for the first time. Lucky Sweynesse capitalised on a slow tempo to score an on-pace win last start and should run well again under similar conditions.
Race 8: In what appears to be a wide-open contest, California Waves could steal the show if things fall his way, given his strong recent form around talented rivals. Fit For Beauty trapped wide but still finished second last start, and with better luck in running, he could go one better. Helene Supafeeling is expected to show improvement from a low draw after a fast-finishing sixth last start. The Red Hare with a 10lb claimer aboard, he could surprise at odds if allowed to dictate from a wide draw. Mighty Commander encountered traffic last start and warrants another chance with Moreira aboard.
Race 9: Romantic Warrior the local champion looks set to claim a fifth straight win in a small field of eight and stands out as the one to beat. Masquerade Ball finished a close second to Calandagan—rated the world’s best racehorse in 2025—last time out and looks capable of giving Japan back-to-back wins in this feature. Sosie has not raced since claiming the G1 Hong Kong Vase in December, and his strong first-up record (6:5-1-0) suggests another encouraging run. Royal Champion arrives off a G1 win in Riyadh and must be respected, even against an elite field. June Take a Group 2 winner from Japan, he could steal the show under Moreira if the two superstars underperform.
Race 10: Rising Phoenix caught the eye last flashing home late off a slow tempo last start and has drawn well to make amends. Endued badly held up last time out and deserves another chance given his strong previous form. The Golden Knight has shown tenacity in winning his last two starts but the wide draw could prove tricky. Lucky Sam Gor comes off a fast-finishing fourth over 1400m last start and must be respected, even under a big weight. Windlord could cause an upset with a smoother run after being held up in the straight last time out.
Race 11: Salon S four from four to date, he appears well weighted to extend his perfect record despite rising to Class 2. Winning Ovation would have won last start with even luck in running and, with Purton aboard, shapes as a leading contender. Mighty Masts overcame a wide draw to score an impressive win in Class 3 last start and looks one to follow. Packing Hermod resuming from a break, he should run well fresh given his eye-catching first-up record. Infinite Resolve underperformed last start but his previous form suggests he is capable of bouncing back in this grade.