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| Staff Writer |
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The moment the barrier draw was announced for the Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup on Sunday, trainer Danny Shum and the connections of Romantic Warrior couldn't help but smile. Seven has been a fortunate number for them thus far.
“Last year in the Hong Kong Cup we drew seven. Also in the Cox Plate, we drew seven.” said owner Peter Lau, who had picked the slot at random at the ceremony in Sha Tin’s parade ring.
Shum and Lau have both considered Romantic Warrior to be the horse of their racing careers. He has won the BMW Hong Kong Derby and was named the 4YO champion in 2022. He has competed against other top horses of the modern era, including Golden Sixty and California Spangle.
Last year, Romantic Warrior's extraordinary triumph in the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup left a lasting impression. He dominated a high-quality international field by over four lengths, allowing jockey James McDonald to show off before he even crossed the finish line.
This handsome bay gelding has accomplished something that even Hong Kong's biggest equine star, Golden Sixty, has not yet achieved. His team's admirable approach to campaigning him overseas has earned him a reputation beyond the shores of the South China Sea.
They opted for a long-term strategy, targeting the prestigious Gr.1 W.S. Cox Plate, Australia's premier weight-for-age prize. In October, Romantic Warrior became the first Hong Kong horse to win the race, sprinting home with precise timing under McDonald's guidance to take the lead at the finish line.
“To win it was great for myself, for Hong Kong racing and for the whole of Hong Kong,” Lau said at the draw ceremony on Thursday.
“I think it was like winning a gold medal in the Olympics, it lifted the morale of the whole country.”
According to Shum, Romantic Warrior has been doing well since his overseas trip. However, there is concern about the level of competition he will face, including talented contenders such as Luxembourg from Ireland, up-and-coming Horizon Dore from France, and strong challengers Prognosis and Rousham Park from Japan.
“It (the opposition) will be quite strong I think, very strong,” the trainer said.
“He’s been good. In the morning, that kind of horse is always good. But I think he’s still improving. He’s been great since Australia, no problem at all.”
Lau, co-founder of the popular homeware chain Japan Home Centre in Hong Kong, is taking things one step at a time with his finest horse. Shum, on the other hand, has stated that he won't be making any decisions about future overseas campaigns until after Sunday's race.
“We won this last year so now there’s even more pressure,” he said.
“In Australia I was as proud as I’ve been in all my life as an owner, it’s my greatest win so far.
“He’s only five, going to six. I think he’s still got some improvement in him, I certainly hope so.
“His form has been good since he came back, and the rider James gave a good comment about his condition so far. I’m very much looking forward to Sunday.”