The Torryburn Stud brand is no stranger to success in Hong Kong having been carried by Group I winning sprinter Hot King Prawn and it appears on progressive four year-old Deep Field gelding Voyage Bubble, who staked a claim for the Hong Kong Classic Mile at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Trained by Ricky Yiu, he produced a bold front running display to score over 1600m in the Class 3 Handicap at his first attempt at the distance.
With three wins and four placings from eight starts, Voyage Bubble is a model of consistency and there is more to come.
“Classic Mile next, he should be rated 81 or 82 now. He should be competitive, front-running horses always have more of an advantage than the back-markers,” said Ricky Yiu.
“First up over a mile and when I bought him, it was expected that he would get a mile as he has a big, long stride and is a free-running type.
“We’ll go step by step, I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets 2000 (metres) but a mile and 1800 (metres) first. It all depends on how quick you go.”
Voyage Bubble broke cleanly from barrier 10, but was made to work throughout and stick on well at the finish.
“We had an outside draw so we had to use a bit and go along but he still did the job – it was a tough win in a tough race,” said winning rider Derek Leung.
Voyage Bubble was bought by his trainer for $380,000 at Inglis Classic from the Torryburn draft and is a half-brother to Group III winner Diddums and stakes-placed Brettan being the sixth winner from seven to race out of good producer Raheights.
Voyage Bubble was the most expensive of 20 yearlings by Deep Field sold at Inglis Classic in 2020 and topped the entire sale.
Torryburn Stud sold from this family at Magic Millions last week with a Written Tycoon colt from Diddums selling for $200,000 to Best Bloodstock.