Romantic Warrior proved that age is no barrier to excellence with a commanding display in a 1200m barrier trial on the dirt at Sha Tin on Thursday morning (26 March), stepping closer to a historic fourth FWD QEII Cup victory. The eight-year-old stalwart, trained by Danny Shum and ridden by Hugh Bowman, demonstrated the same spark that has carried him to 13 Group 1 wins around the world.
From the start, Romantic Warrior showed alertness and poise, breaking smartly from the gates under Bowman’s restraint. The veteran gelding crossed the line a hard-held one length ahead of Group 1 winner Red Lion, clocking 1m 10.70s over the Sha Tin dirt course. Shum, clearly satisfied, remarked, “He’s sound and he’s happy. You can see by his trial, he’s very good.”
Trial Performance Highlights the Champion’s Form
Hong Kong International Sale graduate Romantic Warrior holds an extraordinary record: 22 career wins, including 15 under James McDonald, spanning Hong Kong, Australia, Japan, and the UAE. With career earnings of HK$254.66 million, he sits atop the worldwide charts. Shum noted the horse’s preparation for FWD Champions Day, stating, “We might have one more trial on the grass or just gallop around one lap – we’ll see how he responds.”
Bowman added, “He was a little bit on the fresh side but, obviously, he has another month before he races. He feels great and just as powerful as ever.” The trial featured other notable performers, including Voyage Bubble, Galaxy Patch, Patch Of Theta, Cap Ferrat, and Raging Blizzard, with Chau commenting positively on the horse’s smooth, easy-going stride.
Stakes and Upcoming Races
Romantic Warrior has already captured the first three legs of Hong Kong’s coveted Triple Crown this season, including the G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m), Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m), and a record-extending fourth successive G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m). The Triple Crown concludes with the Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) on 24 May, offering a HK$10 million bonus for victorious connections.
Other trials also showcased future contenders for the FWD Champions Day. Bowman guided Helios Express into third in 1m 10.11s for trainer John Size, with the sprinter targeting the HK$5.35 million G2 Sprint Cup (1200m) on 6 April. Similarly, My Wish surged from last to first in 1m 10.04s, preparing for the G2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) as part of the Champions Mile buildup.
With his combination of experience, class, and undeniable presence, Romantic Warrior looks set to be a headline act once again on FWD Champions Day. As Shum aptly observed, “This will be the strongest QEII Cup, I think, in the last 10 to 15 years.”
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