Last year Voyage Bubble was playing second fiddle to superstar Golden Sixty, fast forward 12 months and the six-year-old is dominant winning the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile.
Ironically, he beat the rest by virtually the same margin he did last year, however this time there was no Golden Sixty in front of him.
In control from the outset, James McDonald couldn’t have asked for a better run, settled second, after allowing Beauty Eternal to cross.
Easing off the fence coming into the straight, Voyage Bubble cruised up to Beauty Eternal and quickly put the race away.
Soul Rush worked home nicely to finish second, but it was very easy watch for favourite backers with Voyage Bubble saluting by a length and a quarter.
“He’s a great horse in his own right, he felt excellent going to the gates today, really on the job and a credit to Ricky [Yiu] and his team, they prepped him up beautifully,” James McDonald said.
“He just gives his all, he’s got a big heart and he’s very uncomplicated.
“He puts himself into the race which is such a big asset.
“A great win for Hong Kong and hopefully I can bring up the running double.
A solid winner of the Jockey Club Mile in the lead up, trainer Ricky Yiu was fairly confident as he felt Voyage Bubble had improved this season.
“His regular rider that does all his work said that he’s a better horse than last season,” Yiu said.”He’s a lot more mature, he’s got taller and a little bit bigger.
Sunday’s Hong Kong Mile was McDonald’s third win aboard Voyage Bubble and his second at the elite level.
“Of all the jockeys that have ridden him, James (McDonald) is the one that has ridden him the best,” Yiu said.
