Ricky Yiu Poon-fai is optimistic Voyage Bubble can join an elite list of Group Two Sha Tin Trophy (1,600m) winners to overcome top weight when the quality galloper returns on Sunday.

One of two Group One winners in the field of 10, Stewards’ Cup (1,600m) victor Voyage Bubble has been set a task with 135 pounds and a wide draw in barrier nine.

Star galloper California Spangle won last year’s Sha Tin Trophy with 135 pounds when he led all the way while Beauty Generation (2018), Designs On Rome (2016), Military Attack (2014), Ambitious Dragon (2012) and Viva Pataca (2008) all overcame top weight of 133 pounds to win the feature.

Voyage Bubble, who also won the Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) in 2023, has pleased Yiu in the lead up to his first-up assignment on Sunday.

“He’s going really well,” Yiu said.

“He’s had two trials in Conghua and he’s a happy horse. He’ll run well. Although he’s top weight, it’s not a particularly strong field. He’ll still have a bit in the tank.”

Andrea Atzeni will ride Voyage Bubble for the first time when he clashes with Group One Champions Mile winner Beauty Eternal, Beauty Joy, Galaxy Patch, Red Lion, Straight Arron, Happy Together, Chancheng Glory, La City Blanche and The Golden Scenery.

It will be Voyage Bubble’s first run since finishing a distant 17th behind champion Romantic Warrior in the Group One Yasuda Kinen (1,600m) at Tokyo racecourse in June.

The Group One Hong Kong Mile in December will be the Deep Field gelding’s main upcoming target, with Yiu keen to focus on local features rather than travel abroad again this term.

“I’ll concentrate on the mile races for him this season. Although he won the Derby over 2,000m, he’s better over a mile,” Yiu said.

“I don’t think [Voyage Bubble will race overseas this season]. The two disappointing runs overseas were because he ran anticlockwise. He didn’t handle going the other way that well.”

Voyage Bubble also ran 13th in the Group One Dubai Turf (1,800m) at Meydan in March.

Yiu will also be represented in the Sha Tin Trophy by Straight Arron, who makes his stable debut after connections transferred him from Caspar Fownes’ yard.

The now six-year-old has won four Hong Kong races, highlighted by the Group Two Jockey Club Cup (2,000m) last November, and raced competitively at Group One level.

He has also trialled solidly in two recent hit-outs on the dirt, but Yiu is keen to get a look at him under race conditions.

“I’m happy with his preparation, but he’s a horse I need to see whether he’s still capable of winning races,” Yiu said.

“He’s had a change of environment and he’s a bit fresher, so hopefully he enjoys that.”

Straight Arron ran eighth in last year’s Sha Tin Trophy, but was beaten just under three lengths when making late ground from back in the field.

Brenton Avdulla has been booked to ride the son of Fastnet Rock and he jumps from barrier three.

Etalon Or, Awesome Fluke, Joyful Life, Drala, Midori Burly, Gracious Express and Watch Buddy are Yiu’s other runners at Sha Tin on Sunday.

While he has only registered three wins this campaign, the veteran handler has gone agonisingly close to more success with 12 seconds and five thirds.