Romantic Warrior once again stole the spotlight at Sha Tin on Sunday, 14 December, turning on a performance worthy of legend as he claimed a fourth consecutive win in the HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m). Fans lining the rails in the champion’s light blue silks erupted as James McDonald guided the gelding to a convincing one-and-three-quarter-length victory over Bellagio Opera.
The Hong Kong International Sale graduate now has 11 Group 1 wins across four jurisdictions. Approaching eight years of age, he shows no signs of slowing down.
McDonald broke cleanly and settled just behind a steady pace set largely by Galen, whose rider Dylan Browne McMonagle sought to gain first run on the field as the seven-horse field entered the home straight. Romantic Warrior, travelling smoothly within himself, surged to the front with 400 meters remaining and was never seriously challenged, though Bellagio Opera made a late push and Quisisana finished strongly for third.
Winning trainer Danny Shum took a moment to record the result in his racebook before being surrounded by well-wishers. “I’m very proud of Romantic Warrior and our stable team, they work really hard,” Shum said. “It’s a big relief. He always gives me a lot of happiness, not only me but my stable, owners, my family and in Hong Kong, even racing fans or non-racing fans, they all love Romantic Warrior. To be honest, there was a lot of pressure.
He had his surgery (when a screw was inserted in his left front leg at the end of May), but he is such a good, calm, lovely horse. He’s part of my family, I love him. My son says I love Romantic Warrior more than him! He’s very easy to train. He doesn’t need too much work and his body weight will tell you, his appetite will tell you how fit he is.”
McDonald added, “He’s so special, he’s so special. He’s just a freak. I don’t know what to say … I just love him. I love him.”
Romantic Warrior is already the only horse to have won the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup three times before Sunday, making this fourth win historic. He may now be aimed at another clash with Forever Young, who he pushed all the way to the line in the G1 Saudi Cup earlier this year. Shum confirmed that any future plans will follow the instructions of owner Peter Lau. “We know he’s turning eight really soon, but he doesn’t know he’s turning eight,” Shum said.
“The plan is always made by the owner, Peter. He has wisdom, we all trust him. If he says, ‘Danny, go to Saudi Arabia’, I’ll go to Saudi Arabia. If he says, ‘Danny stay in Hong Kong’, I’ll stay in Hong Kong. We’re a good team, I trust Peter a lot.”
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