The Sha Tin turf is set to host a historic showdown this Sunday, 14 December, as Romantic Warrior chases an unprecedented fourth LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) victory. The seven-year-old gelding, already a three-time winner of the richest race in Hong Kong, arrives brimming with confidence, promising fans an unforgettable spectacle.
Champion jockey James McDonald, who has guided Romantic Warrior through every high-pressure moment, praised the gelding after a recent gallop with stablemate Romantic Thor. Clocking 1m 16.9s over 1200m, with a sharp final 400m split of 22.3s, Romantic Warrior looked every bit the champion he has proven to be.
“He is prepping up lovely,” McDonald said. “He worked with Romantic Thor, nice and easy, and breezed home well. He is oozing confidence, that’s for sure. He is stretching well and he definitely hasn’t declined.”
Romantic Warrior returns in superb form after a 232-day layoff due to fetlock surgery, winning the G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin last month. His performance demonstrated that he remains a horse capable of dominating at the highest level.
McDonald will also ride Galaxy Patch in the HK$36 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) on the same day. Following their last-start victory in the G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile, McDonald is confident: “He was superb that day and obviously got a lot of luck, but he did the job well. He’s full of confidence and feeling really good.”
Sunday’s Group 1 races promise a fiercely competitive field, including rivals like Voyage Bubble, Soul Rush, and the emerging contender My Wish, making the stakes even higher. McDonald admitted, “It’s such a competitive race and probably the toughest of the four Group 1 races.”
As Sha Tin prepares for 14 December, all eyes will be on Romantic Warrior and Galaxy Patch, two horses full of talent and confidence aiming to etch their names further into Hong Kong racing history.
Stay tuned to Racebuzz for more such updates.
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Romantic Warrior; Greatness personified!