Lui ‘happy’ with Sixty, Bubble has ‘perfect’ trial ahead of Champions Mile

Francis Lui Kin-wai is “happy” with Golden Sixty’s fitness levels ahead of his tilt at a third straight Group One Champions Mile next weekend, while Voyage Bubble had the “perfect” hit-out ahead of his first elite-level assignment in the same contest.

Allowed to travel back and wide by Vincent Ho Chak-yiu over 1,200m on the all-weather track on Tuesday morning, Golden Sixty made up some ground in the home straight as he stretched his legs in his first trial since winning the Group One Hong Kong Gold Cup (2,000m) on February 26.

“It was the same as usual. I’m happy, and Vincent is also happy with the trial. He was supposed to barrier trial [on April 4], but the weather and track were terrible, so we cancelled it,” Lui said.

Golden Sixty’s main competition in next weekend’s Champions Mile is expected to come from California Spangle, but Alexis Badel is looking forward to seeing what Voyage Bubble can do in his first race since winning the Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) on March 19.

Voyage Bubble showed his versatility in the Classic Series with an all-the-way win in the Classic Mile before coming from last to win the Derby, while in Tuesday morning’s trial he sat off leader Drombeg Banner before crossing the line first.

“It was perfect. I was happy to take a sit on him. We’re happy to see him relax. He doesn’t have to lead all the way in every race and it was a good exercise,” Badel said, adding he is pleased to have a galloper with Voyage Bubble’s versatility at his disposal for a Champions Mile likely to be led by California Spangle.

“It’s hard to imagine I’ll engage a speed battle between California Spangle and my horse. Voyage Bubble is very versatile, so he can face different scenarios, which is good to know.

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“He’s a quality horse – he’s not here for no reason. He’s got a bright future. Whether he can win this race against the top milers I don’t know, but he’s a talented horse, so sooner or later he’ll knock on the door.”

Also finishing ahead of Golden Sixty in Tuesday morning’s first heat were Derby placegetters Tuchel and Beauty Eternal, and trainer John Size is pleased with how his four-year-olds are tracking ahead of an intended return to the races.

“I’ll see how they pull up, but their trials looked fine to me. They’ve had some time off after the Derby, and we’ll just go through the motions. We’ll see if they’re ready to race and they’re healthy enough to come back. I think they’re all right, but you give them a trial and you see what sort of reaction you get from that,” Size said.

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