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Aidan O’Brien is anticipating an exciting showdown in the forthcoming HK$36 million Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup on Sunday, 10 December, as his prominent Group One performer Luxembourg takes on the home-favourite Romantic Warrior.
Although the Irishman encountered travel delays, he managed to arrive in time to witness his four LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) contenders commence a routine canter on the Sha Tin all-weather course on Wednesday morning, 6 December. This will be Luxembourg's maiden experience outside Europe, despite having an impressive Gr.1 Irish Champion Stakes victory over 2000m and finishing only behind his esteemed stablemate Auguste Rodin in the same race in September.
“He was second in the Irish Champion Stakes and then he had a foot bruise, this was a race we had our eye on with him,” O’Brien said.
“It’s going to be great, hopefully, we have him right and well, and hopefully we’ll be able to gauge those mile-and-a-quarter races all over the world. We’re looking forward to it.”
When asked about facing the defending champion and recent Gr.1 W.S. Cox Plate winner, O’Brien responded by expressing his admiration for Romantic Warrior, acknowledging that he is a highly skilled horse and that every horse deserves respect.
“It’ll be interesting. I think it’ll be a nice race to watch and it’ll be an even-run mile and a quarter I’d imagine. Hopefully, he’ll run well.”
Warm Heart, one of O’Brien's highly acclaimed ambassadors, is set to compete for the Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase with hopes of securing his fourth win, worth HK$24 million. The 3YO filly has established herself as a prominent figure in the racing world, nearly claiming her third consecutive top-level victory in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Experts believe that a return to a longer distance will be beneficial for her performance. Jockey Ryan Moore will be riding Warm Heart, aiming to maintain a weight of 117lb, despite his recent absence from the track due to a fall in Japan.
“His first rides back after Japan are this evening but he seemed in good form,” O’Brien said. “He always got on very well with her and I think he’s looking forward to it.
“She has a nice weight pull, she’s well in and is a very consistent filly. It looks like she’s a little bit better maybe at a mile and a half, Rachel [Richardson] rides her out and she’s very happy with her. She looks very well.”
O’Brien also cast his eye over LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) runner Aesop’s Fables and Mile contender Cairo, who are likely to continue to operate in tight formation as a quartet in the rest of their exercise.
“They’ll keep doing a little bit more,” O’Brien said. “It’s Wednesday now and we’ll build it up.”