By Michael Cox
Superstar sprinter Ka Ying Rising thrilled fans, underdog miler Red Lion then stunned them and Japanese raider Tastiera finally fulfilled his promise on a drama-filled FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin.
Ka Ying Rising was already the highest-rated sprinter in the world after 11 straight victories in Hong Kong but he raised his reputation again with a dominant display in the G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize (1,200 meters) yesterday.
"He's getting better and better," winning jockey Zac Purton said. "Every time you come out here, he produces something special and he did that again today."
For the more than 40,000 fans at Sha Tin, Ka Ying Rising's scintillating display of sustained speed in the first of the day's three Group 1s set the scene for a meeting that showcased the full spectrum of emotions the sport generates, from elation to heartbreak.
Twenty years ago the G1 Champions Mile produced the most famous upset in Hong Kong racing history when Bullish Luck beat stablemate Silent Witness and snapped his 17-race winning streak and the race again had a surprise in store.
Yesterday the crowd was stunned when 90-to-one shot Red Lion beat odds-on favorite Voyage Bubble by a short head, only for stewards to deliberate for more than 15 minutes over an objection on behalf of the runner-up.
Red Lion remained the winner, much to the relief of his owner, the former Jockey Club chairman Ron Arculli.
Winning jockey Hugh Bowman paid tribute to Red Lion's trainer, the 12-time Hong Kong champion John Size.
"I didn't really expect to lead but full credit to John and his team because they've turned him out in fantastic order," Bowman said. "He's a very consistent, courageous horse."
Tastiera's trainer Noriyuki Hori is Japan's version of Size – a quiet, determined horseman with a meticulous approach – and he again left victorious.
"Noriyuki Hori is an amazing conditioner of horses and this horse is just a star," Lane told reporters after their success in the QEII Cup.
While the Japanese fans in attendance were overjoyed by Tastiera's triumph, many were left in tears after champion filly Liberty Island suffered a fatal injury. Liberty Island was taken away by horse ambulance but was later euthanized.
Turnover on the meeting was slightly down on last year – officials pointing to the absence of Romantic Warrior as one reason – but customers still bet more than HK$1.52 billion on the fixture.
"I think it was a fantastic race meeting," Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges told The Standard. "We want to position racing as sport and entertainment."
Engelbrecht-Bresges added that the future of Hong Kong racing looked bright given the strong performances of younger horses on the card.
"People forget that Ka Ying Rising is still a four-year-old," he said. Ka Ying Rising's fellow four-year-olds My Wish was fourth in the Champions Mile, while Cap Ferrat and Rubylot were fifth and sixth respectively in the QEII Cup.
