Romantic Warrior’s connections feel the local hero is ready to write himself into history as the first three-time winner of this Sunday’s Group 1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin.
Owner Peter Lau noted Romantic Warrior’s barrier draw of one, revealed at the official ceremony in the Sha Tin parade ring, was identical to that of his comfortable warm-up triumph in last month’s Group 2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m).
“Obviously I’m very happy,” Lau said. “It’s the same draw as last time, I hope he races like last time. I’m looking forward to it.”
McDonald, in flying form in his latest Hong Kong stint and the newly-minted 2024 World’s Best Jockey, has built up a stellar partnership with Danny Shum’s gelding.
The New Zealand rider has not only been in the saddle for their two previous wins in this championship event but has helped Romantic Warrior to take Australia and Japan by storm.
“He (Romantic Warrior) is in superb form and he’s going to be awfully hard to beat, he’s probably peaking up better than he did last year for the same race, so we’re looking forward to Sunday,” McDonald said.
“He’s the most push-button horse I’ve had much to do with, the closest you would probably get to him would be Anamoe, he was a phenomenal horse and this horse is trending the right way.
“He’s just a perfect racehorse. Gate speed, sustained speed, doesn’t matter whether it’s wet, dry, fast tempo, slow tempo, he’s pretty much unflappable over a mile and a quarter.”
Looking ahead to the assignment, where Japanese Classic queen Liberty Island (barrier 5), Aidan O’Brien’s smart fillies Content (9) and Wingspan (3) are among the opposition, McDonald continued: “It’s no easy task, the Japanese are coming here in strong force, so we need the right run but he’s the right horse to do it on.
“I just really enjoy riding him, he’s very self-explanatory. Hopefully he can make it three Hong Kong Cups. It would be really fitting if he could go down as one of the, probably the best, Hong Kong horse to grace this Sha Tin turf. He just keeps racking them up.”
Jet-setter Spirit Dancer carries the colours of legendary former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and trainer Richard Fahey was not put off by barrier 10 after his recent completion of back-to-back wins in the Group 2 Bahrain International Trophy (2000m).
“We were drawn 11 the last two times in Bahrain so we’re getting closer to the inside,” Fahey said.
“I’m happy enough. He’s had no issues whatsoever in getting here and I’m enjoying the trip.”
Ricky Yiu is double-handed with Group 2 winner Straight Arron (four), a relatively new recruit to his stable, and Group 3 Centenary Vase (1800m) hero Nimble Nimbus (two).
“It’s a tough race for these two horses but they’re very consistent over the trip, especially Straight Arron,” Yiu said. “I’ve only had him a couple of starts over a mile but it was always the plan to try him in this race. I definitely think he can run a good race, he’s improved out of sight.
“Nimble Nimbus is never beaten far, no matter what distance. He always runs into the money so it’ll be interesting to see how he performs.”
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