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The latest in world horse racing news from the journalists at Idol Horse.
Idol Horse Newsdesk Podcast — HKIR Preview
Date: Tuesday, 9 December 2025
Hosts/Guests: Andrew Le Jeune, David Morgan, Jack Dawling
Andrew Le Jeune:
The racing world will be focused on Sha Tin this Sunday for the four Group 1s of HKIR and the Turf World Championships. Idol Horse chief correspondent David Morgan will join me shortly, along with Idol Horse journalist Jack Dawling, to talk about the main horses and storylines heading into the weekend — including the mighty Romantic Warrior and the world’s best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising. I’m Andrew Le Jeune. This is the Idol Horse Newsdesk.
Big week coming up, guys. Romantic Warrior is looking for an incredible four-timer in the Hong Kong Cup. Only Golden Sixty and Good Ba Ba have won three races at this meeting. David, if he’s not to win, who are the main challengers to deny him?
David Morgan:
Good question — and I don’t think there is one strong challenger, to be honest. The way he won on his comeback was like, “wow.” Coming back from injury and beating Voyage Bubble so easily. He worked this morning on the turf under James McDonald and did it beautifully down the outside rail. He cruised past his lead horse, Romantic Thor, ears flicking, rolling along easily. James said he’s bubbling with confidence and has maintained his pre-injury level.
Looking at the field, it’s tricky to find something with his form. The obvious one is probably the Japanese horse Bellagio Opera — he’s won the Osaka Hai twice over 2000 metres — but even that doesn’t really measure up. If Romantic Warrior arrives right on Sunday, we’re clutching at straws to find something to beat him. It’s exciting that we might see a horse whose record will stand out for decades.
Andrew:
Lord Del Rey has been scratched on Tuesday morning, so he won’t line up. Jack, could the “bounce factor” second-up off a long break be a danger?
Jack Dawling:
If people are trying to find holes, that’s the angle. But his work this morning was fantastic: final 400 in 22.3 seconds, his fastest at Sha Tin in over a year — even quicker than last year’s Cup prep.
And in that comeback run, Voyage Bubble set a muddling tempo and Romantic Warrior still came home in 21.73 for the last 400 — the third-fastest closing split at Sha Tin this season. James McDonald says he’s almost better than ever. So yes, people might mention the bounce factor, but everything points to him being in fine fettle.
Andrew:
What about Massive Sovereign?
David:
He’s been disappointing. A Derby winner, but he’s never looked like reaching the level you need to win this race. What’s interesting is whether anyone tries something tactical with pace, because there aren’t many runners. We’ll learn more through the week.
Andrew:
And the French mare Kississhana?
Jack:
Francis-Henri Graffard is having a massive season and she’s one of only three Group 1 winners in the field. Overseas markets have her around 40-1. She was a bit below par last time, but she’s progressive, lightly raced, and gets four pounds off the boys. I can see her snagging a place, but Romantic Warrior still looks a long way in front.
Andrew:
So we’re agreed: Romantic Warrior for the four-timer.
David:
I reckon so.
Andrew:
Moving on to Ka Ying Rising. He worked this morning too. He won the Everest in Sydney and looks a grade above everyone here. If we’re betting on bad luck, who’s the main rival for second?
David:
We’re talking about two all-time greats on the same card: Romantic Warrior and Ka Ying Rising. What Ka Ying Rising has done puts him up there with Silent Witness and Sacred Kingdom — the three kings of Hong Kong sprinting.
This morning you could feel his power in trackwork. Zac Purton said he’s bigger and stronger than a year ago and more relaxed. If everything goes right, he should win. The two I’d have for second are Satono Reve and Helios Express — there’s basically a head between them in their meetings, so it comes down to draw and run.
Andrew:
Jack, same view?
Jack:
Yeah. He’s got that triple threat: early speed, cruising speed, and sustained speed. David Hayes summed it up — something would have to go terribly wrong.
For the placings, I’m between Helios Express and Fast Network. Fast Network ran great in the Jockey Club Sprint and pulled clear for third behind Ka Ying Rising. With a nice passage and James McDonald aboard, he can run into the money. I’m leaning to a Hong Kong 1-2-3.
Andrew:
One horse that could make it interesting is Win Carnelian. If he goes hard in front, it affects where Zac lands.
David:
Exactly. If he injects pace, it sharpens the race. Between Satono Reve and Helios Express, I’d lean Satono Reve. But overall, it feels like another coronation for Ka Ying Rising.
Andrew:
Let’s talk about the Japanese challenge. We’ve mentioned a few already. Dave, who’s their best chance?
David:
Logically, Soul Rush is their best chance. He ran really well in the Mile last year, has top-drawer form, and of course beat Romantic Warrior in Dubai. He’s seasoned and travels well.
One to watch in the same race is Embroidery. She won the Guineas and the Shuka Sho (the Fillies’ Triple Crown). They’re dropping her back to a mile here. Christophe Lemaire rates her very highly. She’s been taken quietly early in the week — they’ll want her relaxed — but she’s quality.
Andrew:
Jack, your take?
Jack:
Urban Chic and Embroidery are the two main winning hopes. With Embroidery, I just wonder if it happens a bit too fast for her against hardened milers. Urban Chic, though, has a great chance in the Vase. He’s a Japanese St Leger winner, steps back up to 2400m, and as a four-year-old colt still has upside. I’d side with Urban Chic as the better chance.
Andrew:
We’ve probably agreed the Mile and Vase look more open than Cup and Sprint. On the Vase, we’ve got last year’s winner Giavelotto, plus strong Europeans like Saucy, Al Riffa, and Goliath. Overall thoughts, Dave?
David:
It’s an OK race. Third and fourth from the Arc is a strong hook, but beyond that it’s solid rather than spectacular. Urban Chic is interesting — I expected him to go on after his Kikka Sho win, but he hasn’t fully. His Tenno Sho run suggested he might be back on the up.
Giavelotto ran a career-best fourth in the Arc. Saucy has class, and I like the way he’s moving here. My concern for some Europeans is fast ground. Al Riffa wants a mile-six and hasn’t quite delivered at 2400 at this level. Goliath has German Group 1 form, but Hong Kong quick ground is a different game.
Right now I’m focusing on Saucy, Giavelotto, and Urban Chic.
Andrew:
Jack, are you with “OK race”?
Jack:
I’m more bullish. I think it’s a cracker. Arc third and fourth, Al Riffa’s Cup run wasn’t bad, Urban Chic adds spice, and locals are competitive.
I agree the ground question exists, but André Fabre has an incredible Vase record and Saucy is a proper classy four-year-old. I think Saucy can take beating, with Giavelotto and Urban Chic right there. The Hong Kong runners might be lengths behind, but Bundle Award stepping back up to 2400 with James McDonald is interesting.
I’m also keen to see Goliath — he’s been hit-and-miss, but looks good at trackwork so far.
Andrew:
Speaking of trackwork, the main turf gallops are Wednesday morning. Any early positives or negatives?
David:
Saucy has really caught my eye. Soul Rush looks well and is moving nicely. But Ruchin Park is a handful — arching his neck, wanting to gallop, rushing past the post. If you’re a fan, you’d be a bit worried about what’s going on upstairs. He’s always looked like a Group 1 horse on talent but hasn’t quite got there — maybe the head holds him back.
Andrew:
Jack, anyone else to shout out?
Jack:
My Wish in the Mile. I loved his work on Saturday under Luke Ferraris. He was too fresh last time; Mark Newnham hopes the shorter break helps. Tactically it’s intriguing with Copartner Prism likely rolling along up top, but My Wish can be right there.
David:
On the Mile, we shouldn’t underestimate Voyage Bubble. He’s the defending champion, dropping back from 2000m after running second to Romantic Warrior. Zach Purton rides, and he has the class.
And keep an eye on Galaxy Patch with James McDonald. James said he hasn’t felt him that good in a long time — his eyes lit up talking about him — so that’s a major watch.
Andrew:
So the likely headlines are Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior?
David:
That’s what we’re expecting. We’re blessed to have two champions on the same day. If all goes smoothly, it should be a special HKIR.
Andrew:
We’ll save for another time how Hong Kong keeps producing these generational stars — Beauty Generation, Golden Sixty, now Romantic Warrior and Ka Ying Rising.
Gentlemen, enjoy the build-up and the big day.
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Thanks for tuning in — enjoy the action and we’ll see you next time on the Idol Horse Newsdesk.