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Romantic Warrior's 2024-25 season is likely to conclude following his tilt at the Gr.1 Dubai Turf (1,800m) on April 5, trainer Danny Shum confirmed at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Despite a change in quarantine protocols between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia that would allow the champion galloper to chase an unprecedented fourth consecutive victory in the Gr.1 QE II Cup (2,000m) on April 27, connections are favouring giving their star performer a break after his Dubai assignment.
"I'm not 100 per cent sure but I can quite confidently tell you that after April 5 we will quarantine in Dubai and then come back to Hong Kong and stop racing until next season," Shum told the Post.
"The Dubai Turf will be his last run of the season because it is too tricky otherwise. I've talked to the owner and we think we are better off giving him a break and waiting for next season."
After clinching the Gr.1 Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) in December followed by January's Gr.1 Jebel Hatta (1,800m) at Meydan and a valiant second in February's Gr.1 Saudi Cup (1,800m) on dirt, Romantic Warrior will be pursuing a third top-level triumph this season when contesting the Dubai Turf.
The decision to conclude his campaign appears largely motivated by welfare concerns, with Shum explaining: "Going straight to Japan is too hard for him – Peter and I agree that it's too hard for him after a few months in Dubai and the travel to Saudi."
The world's highest-earning racehorse will now be aimed towards a fourth consecutive Hong Kong Cup before potentially returning to the Saudi Cup next season.