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James McDonald, a talented New Zealand jockey, is optimistic that Romantic Warrior will extend his winning streak in Group One races as they compete in the Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo Racecourse this Sunday.
This will mark McDonald's return to riding in Japan after ten years, as he partners with Romantic Warrior in their quest for a fifth consecutive elite-level victory in their debut race in Japan.
Throughout Romantic Warrior's impressive campaign, the 32YO jockey has been a constant presence, and he is confident that the horse is prepared to showcase its talent on the global stage as it returns to racing over a mile for the first time since January last year.
“It’s going to be unreal to go over there with such a good horse and it’s a great opportunity for Romantic Warrior to showcase how good he is over in Japan,” said McDonald, who flies to Japan on Monday to reunite with Romantic Warrior in the lead-up to Sunday’s race.
“This horse doesn’t know how to run badly, he’s unbelievable. It’s something I’ve never come across before – the constitution he has, the willingness he has.
“He wears his heart on his sleeve and even if he’s getting beaten it’s only by the smallest of margins. His record speaks for itself, he’s a winner.”
McDonald Prepares For Japan Challenge With Romantic Warrior
In November 2014, McDonald had his first riding experience in Japan, participating in five rides in the World Super Jockeys Series without securing a win.
Now, both McDonald and Romantic Warrior are preparing to face Japan's top milers on their home turf. McDonald is optimistic that Romantic Warrior will adapt to the new environment more effectively than in Australia prior to the Group One Cox Plate in October.
“I think he’ll travel to Japan better than how he travelled to Australia because he looks unbelievable, he’s in great form and his condition is holding well,” McDonald said. “He’s just an absolute brute, nothing fazes him and he’s the ultimate professional.
“He’s beaten up all the Japanese before on his home ground so hopefully he can go over there and beat them up again.”
Romantic Warrior triumphed over three Japanese contenders in last month's Group One QE II Cup and now faces a tough challenge against numerous rivals, including Soul Rush and Serifos, who placed fourth and seventh, respectively, in December’s Group One Hong Kong Mile.
The son of Acclamation will also compete against Voyage Bubble and aims to repeat his victory over the Ricky Yiu Poon-fai-trained 5YO in February’s Group One Gold Cup at Sha Tin.
“We obviously have our question marks and the biggest question mark is him going back to a mile, but hopefully a strong-run race will look after that and he’ll be there when the whips are cracking,” McDonald said.
“His best wins have been in fast-run races and generally when it’s a fast-run race, the best horse wins. That just shows he’s superior to the rest.
“I’ve been lucky enough to experience all types of wins with Romantic Warrior. A flamboyant win in his first Hong Kong Cup, tough and gritty for his second Hong Kong Cup, tenacious for the Cox Plate and just down and out fighting like a bulldog in the QE II. I was a little bit in disbelief how good that performance was and how he lifted off the canvas.”
McDonald aims for an astonishing 97th Group One victory on Sunday as he seeks to continue his excellent year in the saddle.