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| Staff Writer |
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Romantic Warrior, fresh from his triumphant victory in the Gr.1 W.S. Cox Plate in Australia, has now returned home to Hong Kong. His next goal is to secure back-to-back wins in the highly anticipated HK$36 million Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup.
Hong Kong’s first W.S. Cox Plate champion, Romantic Warrior, pounced to a last-gasp victory at Moonee Valley in October. He is set to make his first appearance since then at the HK$118 million LONGINES Hong Kong International Races happening on Sunday next week.
Acquired from the Hong Kong International Sale, a top six finish for the 5YO by Acclamation in the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup would make him the third horse in Hong Kong to reach HK$100 million in prize money, after Golden Sixty (HK$147.93 million) and Beauty Generation (HK$106.23 million).
On Tuesday Morning at Sha Tin, Romantic Warrior, under Jockey James McDonald, lengthened and finished first in a turf trial over the mile, with stablemate Helene Feeling coming in second, and Golden Sixty taking the third spot. Both trainers Danny Shum and McDonald were satisfied with the performance of Romantic Warrior.
“He needed the trial because he’s been quarantined. He did some work but he needed that. It was a very positive report from James McDonald – he said that he trialled good but that he did need it.
“He’ll have one or two more turf gallops now to enhance his condition,” Shum said.
With 11 victories out of 16 starts, Romantic Warrior has proven to be a successful racehorse. As a four-time Gr.1 champion in both Hong Kong and Australia, he has established himself as a top performer. In addition, he recently secured wins in the 2022 BMW Hong Kong Derby and Hong Kong Classic Mile.
“I’m happy with him – he’s always good, easy to train and he’s a happy horse. He does everything right,” Shum said.
Romantic Warrior will have to contend with a strong field of competitors as he faces off against some of Hong Kong's finest, including Gr.2 -winning Straight Arron. In addition, five international runners hailing from Japan, Ireland, and France will also be competing. These include Prognosis, Rousham Park, and Hishi Iguazu from Japan, Luxembourg from Aidan O'Brien, and Horizon Dore from France, who has previously placed in Group one races.