Champion galloper Romantic Warrior will stay in Hong Kong for an epic Triple Crown showdown with Voyage Bubble instead of chasing redemption in February’s Group One Saudi Cup (1,800m).

Trainer Danny Shum Chap-shing confirmed to the Jockey Club that the world’s highest-earning racehorse won’t return to the Middle East in 2026, with Hong Kong’s Group One treble of the Stewards’ Cup (1,600m), Gold Cup (2,000m) and Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) on his agenda.

It was somewhat of a surprise move given owner Peter Lau Pak-fai’s speaking as recently as last week about a rematch with the world’s best dirt horse, Forever Young, in the US$20 million (HK$155.6 million) Saudi Cup.

Romantic Warrior won the Group One Jebel Hatta (1,800m) at Meydan last January before making his dirt debut with a heartbreaking second to Forever Young, beaten only a neck.

Set to turn eight on January 1, the son of Acclamation is fresh from a record-extending fourth straight Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) success last Sunday, which boosted his record prize money past HK$240 million.

Lau’s decision sets up three much-anticipated clashes with Voyage Bubble, the winner of last Sunday’s Group One Hong Kong Mile and last season’s Triple Crown.

Ricky Yiu Poon-fai’s star became the first horse since River Verdon (1993-94) to win the Triple Crown.

Emblazon back in the official winners’ list

He was first past the post in a voided race last month, but there were no problems at Sha Tin on Saturday as Emblazon continued his brilliant form this campaign.

The Cody Mo Wai-kit-trained gelding delivered his owners compensation for the November 15 race, which was declared void when Dreaming Winner dumped his rider at the start and galloped in the opposite direction to the field.

“The void race was very unfortunate, this time luckily we can celebrate him as a winner,” Mo said after Emblazon proved too strong for his rivals in Saturday’s Class Four Pok Oi Cup (1,200m).

“It’s very nice for it to come in a cup race. For the future I think he can put up some good performances in Class Three races.”

Sent off the $4.2 second favourite, Emblazon stalked pacesetter and $3.9 favourite Pejibaye before taking control passing the 100m and beating that galloper by three-quarters of a length.

The son of Zoustar has recorded two wins and a second for Mo and jockey Jerry Chau Chun-lok this season.

Mo bagged a race-to-race double when Nyx Gluck justified $2.1 favouritism with a comfortable success in the Class Four Erica Handicap (1,400m).

“It’s only his fourth start and you can see that in the way he travels – he gets his head up and is very green,” Mo said after Nyx Gluck soared to victory by a length and a quarter.

“This race worked out well for him, he got a good draw and James McDonald did very well. In the future he will go a bit further but for now this trip seems to be good for him.”

Chris So Wai-yin joined Mo with a double on Saturday, claiming both Class Fives – the first section of the Amaryllis Handicap (1,400m) with Circuit Fiery and the second section of the Amaryllis Handicap with Manythanks Forever.

Debutant shows great Velocity

Turquoise Velocity backed up his smart trial form to score an impressive victory on debut in Saturday’s Class Four Cedar Handicap (1,000m).

Showing promise with three wins and a second from his four trials, the son of Zoustar tracked the speed on his first race start and burst clear at the 350m to win by a length and three-quarters.

It was a performance that left an impression on trainer Francis Lui Kin-wai and jockey Keith Yeung Ming-lun.

“I like him, he’s an honest horse,” Lui said after Turquoise Velocity saluted from fellow debutant Spicy Speedy.

“He’s still a bit green, but when the jockey asked him to go, he kept going – that’s a good sign. He’ll stay at 1,000m for now. I’m in no hurry to run him around the bend.”

Yeung has been impressed by the four-year-old’s continued improvement.

“When he first came to Hong Kong, he was really green and we thought he would be an end-of-season horse, but he has improved after every trial,” Yeung said.

“I knew he had the turn of foot, it’s just that he is still a big baby now. He has a long way to go. I am really happy with him.”