The Japan Times - Ka Ying Rising hits sweet 16 as Romantic Warrior makes Hong Kong history

With Voyage Bubble also winning, all three of the city's biggest guns defended their crowns at the Hong Kong International Races, with champion jockey Zac Purton landing a Group One double on a bumper day at Sha Tin.

Ka Ying Rising kicked things into gear for the home team with an effortless success in the Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m, six furlongs).

"That's what everyone wanted. Obviously after last year they were a bit flat, but this year we showed everyone what he can do," said Purton after the world's best sprinter bagged his sixth Group One success, with an eased-down three-and-three-quarter-length success.

Ka Ying Rising, who is now one win away from equalling Silent Witness's Hong Kong record of 17 straight victories, earned high praise from leading British jockey Ryan Moore.

"The winner is exceptional -- the best I've seen at that trip," said Moore after finishing ninth aboard Japan's Satono Reve.

Romantic Warrior extended his own record winning streak in the Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m, 1 1/4 miles) and made more history.

The seven-year-old won the HK$40 million ($5.14 million) contest -- the city's richest race -- for the fourth straight year to become the first horse to win on International Races day four times.

"He's so special. He's just a freak. I don't know what to say honestly. I just love him," said jockey James McDonald.

Purton drove Voyage Bubble to back-to-back wins in the Group One Hong Kong Mile (1,600m), digging deep late to hold off Japanese galloper Soul Rush.

"When Soul Rush couldn't put me away, I could feel my horse start to gain a little bit more confidence," said Purton.

"With 75 metres to go, I started to think, 'hang on, we're back in this'," said Purton, who secured a record-extending 14th HK International Races feature win.

The first Group One of the day, the Hong Kong Vase (2,400m, 1 1/2 miles), went the way of French raider Sosie.

Sosie delivered a second Vase win in three years for jockey Maxime Guyon, trainer Andre Fabre and owners Wertheimer & Frere two years after the success of Junko.

"It's good for all the team to win the Group One in Hong Kong. All the trainers and owners in the world watch this race," said Guyon.

"We knew before the race we had the horse forward. He went really good the last time (when third) in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe."

T.Sato--JT