Romantic Warrior completed his final serious piece of work ahead of Sunday’s Stewards’ Cup with the calm efficiency that has come to define his career, moving smoothly through his paces under the lights at Sha Tin on Tuesday morning. The Stewards’ Cup, the opening leg of Hong Kong’s Triple Crown, now awaits a horse whose presence alone lends the mile championship added weight and expectation.
Working on the turf course alongside stablemate Romantic Thor, Romantic Warrior covered the mile in a comfortable 1m 16.6s, clocking progressively quicker sectionals under Hugh Bowman. There was no urgency, no need for it. Trainer Danny Shum watched on, quietly satisfied that his champion had done exactly what was required.
“He’s good. He’s done his final gallop on the turf. Hugh Bowman rode him and gave me a very positive report. He’s happy with him,” Shum said. “Of course, Voyage Bubble is a very strong competitor over the mile, but Romantic Warrior will run well.”
Sunday’s Stewards’ Cup marks Romantic Warrior’s first return to 1600 metres since his emphatic success in Japan’s premier mile event last year. While his reputation has been built largely on middle-distance dominance, the gelding has proven himself at the mile on multiple occasions, including victory in the Hong Kong Classic Mile and a narrow defeat in this very race two seasons ago.
Few horses in modern racing have shown the same sustained excellence. A 12-time winner over 2000 metres at Sha Tin, Romantic Warrior’s record includes four successive wins in the Hong Kong Cup, achievements that have placed him among the greats of the turf. Yet, despite those feats, his connections are approaching this Stewards’ Cup with perspective rather than pressure.
“Whatever he does is a bonus already,” Shum said. “I just want him to try his best, but most importantly he is happy, healthy and comfortable. He is very well after December and everything is under control.”
Romantic Warrior’s current campaign has been shaped by travel and recovery, with appearances across the Middle East followed by a measured return to Hong Kong. His consistency at the highest level has remained intact, even as his preparation required careful management.
The Stewards’ Cup, however, is far from a one-horse affair. Last season’s Triple Crown hero Voyage Bubble returns to defend his status as the leading mile specialist, while Straight Arron adds further depth to the field for trainer David Hayes. Hayes is expecting a sharper showing from his runner after a troubled effort late last year.
“I think his run in December was one you can forgive,” Hayes said. “He over-raced a little bit and was stuck on the inside. The run before that was very good, and that’s the one to look at.”
Straight Arron has built a solid record in Hong Kong and is likely to use Sunday’s contest as a stepping stone toward longer targets later in the season.
Another intriguing runner is Lucky Sweynesse, the four-time Group 1 winner who steps up to the mile for the first time. Derek Leung, who takes the ride, believes the experiment is worth pursuing given the gelding’s recent finishes.
“We can’t beat the top sprinters over 1200 metres, so it’s worth trying,” Leung said. “You could see him getting stronger late last start. We’ll try to help him relax early and see how he finishes. He feels good in the mornings and is very happy.”
As the field assembles on Sunday, the Stewards’ Cup promises a compelling blend of proven excellence and tactical curiosity. For Romantic Warrior, it is another chapter in a remarkable career — not one defined by necessity, but by the quiet confidence of a champion still eager to compete.
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