Danny Shum did not attempt to dress it up. Standing on the Sha Tin turf this week, the trainer acknowledged that his stable star will have to overcome what he believes is the deepest field assembled for the race in decades if he is to extend an already remarkable record.
Romantic Warrior returns on Sunday, 26 April, chasing a fourth victory in the HK$30 million Group 1 QEII Cup (2000m), having dominated the race in 2022, 2023 and 2024. This time, however, the path is anything but straightforward. A high-class international line-up, featuring Group 1 winners Masquerade Ball, Royal Champion and Sosie, ensures that the eight-year-old faces a challenge unlike any he has encountered in recent seasons.
“I think this is the strongest QEII Cup in Hong Kong for 15 or 20 years,” Shum said. “I’m happy so many good horses have come. It’s definitely going to be a difficult race for him.”
The race forms part of a broader ambition. After a Middle Eastern campaign took precedence last year, Romantic Warrior now returns with a domestic Triple Crown bid firmly in mind. Connections opted to keep him in Hong Kong following surgery on his left fetlock joint last May, a decision that has so far been vindicated by a flawless sequence of performances.
Victories in the G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m), G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m), G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) and G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) underline his continued dominance. Drawn in barrier five, he heads into Sunday’s contest in peak condition after a strong piece of work earlier this week.
“He galloped really well,” Shum said. “Every time Hugh Bowman rides him, he always gives me very positive feedback. I have confidence going into the race.”
Yet the opposition demands respect. Romantic Warrior’s narrow defeat to Forever Young in the Saudi Cup earlier this year served as a reminder of the fine margins at the highest level. Shum is particularly mindful of the Japanese challenge, led by Masquerade Ball, a top-level winner with proven credentials over the distance.
“When we went to the Middle East last year, all of the Japanese horses had really good results,” he said. “I really respect all of the Japanese horses.”
Tactically, little is expected to change. Regular rider James McDonald is likely to keep things uncomplicated, allowing the horse’s natural versatility to dictate his position in running. It is a formula that has delivered 13 Group 1 victories across multiple jurisdictions, including Australia, Japan and Dubai.
Beyond the statistics, however, lies a deeper connection. Shum spoke with evident affection about the horse who has defined his stable in recent years.
“The team really, really looks after him,” he said. “Romantic Warrior is special to me, my stable and my family. I love him and he loves me too. He’s a super legend.”
Sunday’s 11-race programme at Sha Tin begins at 12.30pm with the Class 4 FWD Insurance Act Private Handicap (1200m), but the spotlight will inevitably fall on the QEII Cup, where history beckons and the margin for error is slim.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to racebuzz