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Romantic Warrior will arrive in Riyadh three days later than initially planned as the globetrotting superstar gears up for his biggest challenge yet in the US$20 million Gr.1 Saudi Cup.
Trainer Danny Shum Chap-shing had originally scheduled a Friday flight from Dubai for his stable star, but the ten-time Group One winner will now make the journey on Monday for the 1,800-metre contest on February 22.
"He'll travel on the 10th, it was the only flight I could choose," Shum said. "He'll still be OK. I leave on the 8th to head across. The horse is going well."
The champion's remarkable career reached new heights last month when demolishing the track record in the Gr.1 Jebel Hatta at Meydan, but the US$179.66 million earner faces an entirely new proposition on the dirt surface.
Shum is exploring the possibility of equipping his charge with specialist "grip shoes" – equipment prohibited in Hong Kong – to aid his transition to the surface.
"I'll see how [Romantic Warrior's travelling companion] Romantic Charm goes in them in the morning on the 12th or 13th [of February] and then decide," Shum explained. "I was not allowed to do it here in Hong Kong so I have to try them on Romantic Charm, I have got no option. Even in a 400m jumpout without any other horses, [the Jockey Club] said no."
The Hong Kong hero will face stiff competition from last year's Gr.1 Dubai World Cup victor Laurel River, recently crowned joint-best horse globally, alongside French challenger Facteur Cheval and Japanese contender Forever Young.
Following the Saudi Cup, connections will choose between the Dubai World Cup or Gr.1 Dubai Turf for their final Middle East target in April.
Meanwhile, Shum's domestic campaign continues at Sha Tin on Sunday, where Gorgeous Win headlines his five-runner assault in the Class One TVB Cup. The improving galloper, fresh from success under Zac Purton, faces Group Three victor Taj Dragon and Group One-placed Lucky With You among others.
"It looks a hard race and it's hard to tell how he will go," Shum said. "But he's maintained his form."