Car In Rising fulfilled trainer David Hayes’ high hopes by securing a comfortable win in the Longines Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin. The five-year-old, who had never previously tied for first in a six-furlong race, broke sharply and quickly took the lead, with Zac Purton expertly guiding him to victory over the strong competitor Raging Blizzard.
Aiming for his 16th consecutive win, Car In Rising’s three-quarter length triumph was described by Hayes as his most impressive visual performance to date. Hayes expressed relief and pride, noting the horse’s strong form during the race week and emphasizing that Car In Rising ran faster here than in previous contests.
Having previously won Australia’s Everest earlier this year as part of his first international trip, Hayes plans to return to the Randwick event next year. He mentioned upcoming big international sprints and hopes the horse stays healthy to compete again against Australia’s best.
England’s hope, Kardem, had to abandon any chance early on when Oisin Murphy’s stirrup leather broke, forcing them to focus just on finishing safely.
In the Longines Hong Kong Cup, Romantic Warrior extended an incredible winning streak to four, claiming his fourth consecutive victory. The seven-year-old, undefeated on home ground since 2023, dominated the race, pushing his earnings beyond £24 million on a prestigious racing day. Jockey James MacDonald showed unwavering confidence, and when they entered the final stretch, Romantic Warrior powered past Bellagio Opera and France’s Raider Quisisana.
The Danny Sham-trained horse had previously faced challenges, including a remarkable close finish at the Saudi Cup and a neck injury suffered in Dubai that required surgery. MacDonald praised Romantic Warrior as a uniquely special horse, while Sham expressed great pride and relief, highlighting the deep bond and affection he and his family share with the champion. Sham humorously mentioned his son’s comment that he seems to love Romantic Warrior even more than him.
Zac Purton also triumphed with Voyage Bubble in the Longines Hong Kong Mile, clinching a Group 1 double. In an intense finish reminiscent of last year, Voyage Bubble narrowly defeated Japanese challenger Soul Rush by half a length, with Docklands holding a tight fourth place.
Fan Take: This showcase of top-tier international competition highlights the global appeal and thrilling unpredictability of horse racing. These performances not only boost the sport’s profile worldwide but also inspire deeper fan engagement and elevate the level of competition for years to come.
