Oisin Murphy heads to Sha Tin this Sunday knowing the task in front of him could hardly be tougher. With Hong Kong champions Romantic Warrior and Ka Ying Rising set to defend home honour on FWD Champions Day, the five-time British champion jockey will need two inspired rides if he is to upset the local stars on one of the biggest afternoons in the international calendar.
Murphy reunites with Royal Champion in the HK$30 million Group 1 QEII Cup over 2000 metres after partnering the eight-year-old to a breakthrough top-level success in the Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia earlier this year. That victory offered a glimpse of the gelding’s quality, but Sunday presents an altogether sterner examination.
Romantic Warrior, already one of Hong Kong racing’s modern greats, is chasing a fourth victory in the race after another faultless campaign. His presence alone would make the assignment formidable, yet the field is strengthened further by Masquerade Ball, winner of the Tenno Sho Autumn, and Sosie, who arrives after success in the Hong Kong Vase.
Murphy spoke warmly of Royal Champion’s attributes and believes the experienced runner has earned his place in elite company.
“It was nice for Karl to give me a chance on Royal Champion in Saudi Arabia,” Murphy said. “He gave me a very good feel. He’s a strong traveller with a good turn of foot and he loves fast ground. He felt like a very high-quality horse.”
The rider added that much will depend on how the contest unfolds in the opening stages, with pace often decisive in races of such depth.
“Obviously, we don’t know the make-up of the race speed-wise yet, but hopefully it will be pretty straightforward for him. He seems to enjoy racing in a similar position to Romantic Warrior.
“When everything is final, we’ll be able to see what the race looks like. I suppose in an ideal world, there’s a bit of speed on and everyone gets a good trip around and it’s a nice fair race.”
Murphy was equally generous in his assessment of the opposition.
“I think they all bring a strong level of form – they all have proper Group 1 form. Romantic Warrior has achieved more than most horses, he’s been absolutely extraordinary and it’s a very good renewal of the race.”
Later on the card, Murphy takes the mount on Comanche Brave in the HK$24 million Chairman’s Sprint Prize over 1200 metres, where Ka Ying Rising is expected to command attention once again.
Murphy endured frustration when he last met the outstanding sprinter in December, when a tack issue aboard Khaadem ended any realistic chance before the race had fully developed. This time he returns with Comanche Brave, who arrives after solid international performances in Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia.
Although the four-year-old has not raced over six furlongs since September 2024, Murphy expressed confidence that the drop in trip should not pose a problem.
“He had a good run in Saudi and a good run in Abu Dhabi,” he said. “It’s obviously a very tough race, but he looks like he’s improving, and hopefully he can run another big race.
“Naturally, this race is quite straightforward because there’s going to be a lot of speed in it. We’ll try and get a good position, but at the end of the day, the horse is going to tell me where he’s comfortable and we’ll go from there.
“There’s no pressure because everyone’s aware that if Ka Ying Rising is at his best then he’s going to win, but horses can underperform and we’ll just see what happens.”
Sunday’s meeting at Sha Tin once again brings together proven champions, ambitious challengers and some of the sport’s most recognisable names. For Murphy, it is the sort of stage every rider wants — and one where success must be earned the hard way.
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