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Last year, Godolphin entered four horses for the prestigious Gr. One Champions & Chater Cup, annually held at Sha Tin, but unfortunately, they didn't have a runner. However, trainer Charlie Appleby is determined to make a mark this year by bringing Rebel's Romance to the HK$13 million feature.
Rebel's Romance has been in sensational form, having recently defeated Russian Emperor in Qatar's H.H. The Amir Trophy and won the Gr.1 Dubai Sheema Classic breathtakingly last month.
Godolphin had a slow start at the Dubai World Cup night, but Rebel's Romance managed to turn things around for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, by winning the Gr.1 Sheema Classic.
“He shipped back to Newmarket a couple of days ago, he shipped back well, and I think we’re going to stick to plan A and probably head to Hong Kong for the Champions & Chater there,” Appleby told Sky Sports.
“It’s a programme we put in place before the Sheema Classic. We know he enjoys his travelling, as long as he’s travelling in and out within a certain period, but more importantly, he loves those style of tracks and that style of racing. So that’s our plan, to go to the Champions & Chater.”
After the FWD Champions Day, trainer Tony Shum plans to take Romantic Warrior to Tokyo, where he will compete in the Gr.1 Yasuda Kinen. The Yasuda Kinen is known to be a challenging turf course, making it a true test of the horse's abilities. However, with his impressive track record, it's no surprise that Romantic Warrior is up for the challenge.
With the probable departure of Romantic Warrior to Japan, Russian Emperor and Straight Arron emerge as the most formidable local contenders for Rebel’s Romance, should he participate at Sha Tin.