Hong Kong's Racing Titans Clash in Sunday's Stewards' Cup Showdown

Friday 23 January 2026 3:36 pm

By: Wally Pyrah

The global horse racing community is set to turn its undivided attention to Sha Tin in Hong Kong this Sunday, as three of the city's most celebrated equine stars – Ka Ying Rising, Romantic Warrior, and Voyage Bubble – aim to embellish their already illustrious careers with further Group One glory.

Ka Ying Rising Aims for Historic Sprint Victory

In the Group One Centenary Sprint Cup, scheduled for 7.00am, all eyes will be on Ka Ying Rising as he attempts to secure his 17th consecutive victory. This remarkable achievement would see him equal the record set by the legendary local galloper Silent Witness, cementing his status as a sprinting icon.

Trained by David Hayes, Ka Ying Rising is widely regarded as the world's best sprinter and faces only six rivals in this contest. It is considered almost unthinkable that he will suffer defeat, with competitors such as Raging Blizzard and Fast Network expected to trail at a respectful distance. For spectators, this race promises to be a thrilling spectacle to simply watch and enjoy.

Epic Stewards' Cup Showdown Between Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble

Just over an hour later, at 8.05am, the Group One Stewards' Cup over a mile is poised to deliver an epic confrontation between two horses who have collectively amassed 17 Group One victories. The stage is set for a fierce battle between last season's Hong Kong Triple Crown winner, Voyage Bubble, and his formidable rival, the global superstar Romantic Warrior.

These two champions have clashed three times previously, with Romantic Warrior, trained by Danny Shum, emerging victorious on each occasion. Both of their encounters in Hong Kong were over 10 furlongs, but Romantic Warrior's last outing over a mile dates back to April 2024, when he triumphed in the Group One Yasuda Kinen in Japan, leaving Voyage Bubble well-beaten.

While some supporters may express concern about Romantic Warrior's return to the mile distance, his recent track trial in preparation for this race was nothing short of mind-boggling, making him a formidable opponent to oppose.

Red Lion Emerges as a Value Pick for the Frame

With the spotlight firmly on the two favourites, attention turns to which galloper might secure a place behind them. Hong Kong Classic Mile winner My Wish has been disappointing since stepping up to Group One level, while Galaxy Patch and Sunlight Power, though talented, are often unpredictable.

Therefore, the most compelling option could be to support last season's Group One Champions Mile winner, Red Lion. He previously demonstrated his ability to defeat Voyage Bubble and appears to have been meticulously brought back to peak condition by trainer John Size. The forecast of showers during the race could further enhance his chances of delivering a top-tier performance.

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