After finishing second in the Hong Kong Mile last year, Deep Field’s Voyage Bubble climbed to the top step in the race this year in another HK Group One for James McDonald.
In last year’s edition he started a $30 chance and was a brave second to Beauty generation however his efforts since have seen a win in the Group I Stewards Cup and placings in the Hong Kong Gold Cup and Champions Mile.
That saw him go to the gates as favourite this time, and he was dominant with McDonald sitting in second and taking charge at the 300m mark to win by one and a quarter length, with Japan’s Soul Rush (Rulership) second and Beauty Joy (Sebring) third,
“He’s a great horse in his own right,” said McDonald.
“Gees he felt excellent going to the gates today. He was really on the job.
“He just gives his all. Very big heart. Very uncomplicated.”
The win takes his record to eight wins, six seconds, and three thirds from 20 starts with earnings of $HK70,592,475.
Australia’s hope Antino settled in the second half but was put out of play by a wayward Soul Rush and Joao Moreira at the 300 metre mark, although whether he was going well enough to figure at the time is debatable.
Bred by Torryburn Stud, Voyage Bubble was the top priced yearling at the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale when bought by his trainer Ricky Yiu for $380,000.
Out of the four-time winning Rahy mare Raheights, also dam of Group III winner Diddums, she had not had a foal since 2019, however undoubtedly to the delight of the Torryburn team has produced a filly this year by Home Affairs.
