Romantic Warrior is one leg away from completing the Hong Kong Triple Crown after yet another arrogant win in the HK13 million, Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday.
The win was as emphatic as the official four length margin suggests with the Danny Shum trained gelding extending two of his exceptional records in the process.
The first of those distinctions was increasing his total prizemoney earned from a mark which already had him lauded as racing’s record prizemoney earner to HK254.66 million, and, secondly, it was taking his number of Group 1 wins to thirteen, the most by any Hong Kong trained horse.
Just as James McDonald had done aboard Autumn Glow twenty-six hours previously far away in Sydney, the champion rider asked Romantic Warrior to go shortly after turning into the home straight, from which moment the race was basically over.
It was a case of the one of the most successful horse / rider pairings in history flaunting their superiority in front of a grandstand full of adoring fans.
Hong Kong racing is certainly blessed to have two stars such as Romantic Warrior and Ka Ying Rising carrying Hong Kong racing to such great heights.
“He’s just beautifully prepared. Danny’s just done a marvellous job, and each and every time I hop on him, I just cherish the moment. I feel so special every time and you look between his ears and he’s just so alert,” said McDonald.
Danny Shum indicated Romantic Warrior would next line up in the HK30 million, Group 1 QE11 Cup on April 26, again over a 2000m trip … where he will be aiming for a fourth success in the race … before looking to complete his mission in the last leg of Triple Crown, the Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup over 2400m in May, a race in which victory, above everything else, will secure Romantic Warrior a HK$10 million bonus.
“His condition is getting better and better. The 2000 metres is his best trip. I think he can handle the 2400m,” said Shum in understated fashion.
There was even a mention of a possible return to Saudi Arabia next February, which Romantic Warrior bypassed this year in favour of his quest for the Triple Crown.
With Romantic Warrior having won Group 1 races in Australia, Japan and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia could be the only place where Romantic Warrior has unfinished business … although, saying that could be harsh considering that Romantic Warrior’s effort in the 2024 $20 million Saudi Cup was an incredible performance, one in which he only went down by the narrowest of margins to a world champion in the form of Forever Young.
“Maybe next season we will go to the Saudi Cup. We will keep everything open for now,” said Shum, teasing a mouth-watering prospect.
