 |
|
| Staff Writer |
Hong Kong's Romantic Warrior achieved a significant international victory by dominating the field of top local milers in the Gr.1 Yasuda Kinen.
 |
Settled in fifth from gate seven, Romantic Warrior travelled powerfully through the early exchanges and turned for home looming ominously on the outside the leaders.
After he was momentarily tight for room at the 400m marker, the son of Acclamation was angled out by McDonald and unleashed down the Tokyo straight.
Romantic Warrior’s stamina kicked in as he hit the front 200m from home, with the galloper charging through the line to complete a titanic treble.
With this latest triumph, Romantic Warrior has secured five consecutive top-level wins in three different jurisdictions, setting the stage for potential further global success.
This season he has collected Group One wins in Australia, Hong Kong and now Japan, with the Yasuda Kinen following triumphs in the Cox Plate (2,040m), Hong Kong Cup (2,000m), Gold Cup (2,000m) and QE II Cup (2,000m).
The victory in the Yasuda Kinen opens up opportunities for even more prestigious races, as it served as a "Win and You're In" Challenge race for the Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Mile in November at Del Mar.
Additionally, the first three finishers earned guaranteed entry to two top French mile races, the Gr.1 Prix Jacques le Marois and the Gr.1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp, providing exciting prospects for Romantic Warrior's future races.
Despite the shorter distance of 1,600 meters in the Yasuda Kinen, Romantic Warrior's connections carefully assessed the circumstances and decided to proceed, a decision that was validated by the horse's impressive performance and jockey James McDonald's expert handling.
McDonald strategically positioned Romantic Warrior behind the pace, waiting for the opportune moment to make a decisive move. As the ground leveled out at the 250 meters, Romantic Warrior surged ahead with a burst of speed, ultimately claiming victory. Namur finished second, with Soul Rush coming in third.
McDonald's emotional response to the victory reflected the significance of the win, emphasizing Romantic Warrior's exceptional qualities as a proven champion.
Trainer Danny Shum, however, ruled out a bid for the Gr.1 Takarazuka Kinen, opting to give the horse a break to rest and prepare for future campaigns.
While the French races may be off the table, the possibility of competing in the Breeders' Cup remains open, aligning well with Hong Kong's international race day in early December.
Romantic Warrior's success exemplifies the Hong Kong Jockey Club's initiative to introduce world-class competition to its horse population, showcasing the potential of graduates from the Hong Kong International Sale.