James McDonald believes Romantic Warrior and Howdeepisyourlove are well positioned to snare Group 1 glory at Meydan on Saturday after the Hong Kong pair drew neutral gates at the official barrier draw on Wednesday.
Acclaimed as the LONGINES World’s Best Jockey last year, McDonald will bid to add to his career haul of 114 Group 1 victories after Romantic Warrior drew barrier nine in the Group 1 Dubai Turf (1800m) and Howdeepisyourlove also drew gate nine in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m).
McDonald will also ride Sword Point, who will jump from gate two in the Group 2 Godolphin Mile (1600m, dirt).
The New Zealander said Romantic Warrior had held his form since his narrow defeat in the Group 1 Saudi Cup (1800m, dirt) in February – a performance McDonald said was among the best of the globetrotting champion’s career.
“He gave his all. I almost believe it’s almost one of the best performances he’s put on a race track. It’s phenomenal to be almost 10 lengths back to third. To gap the field like that was remarkable and I was so proud of the horse and proud of how Danny has prepped him up and how Danny’s team has looked after him,” McDonald said.
“We’re really looking forward to the challenge again. Obviously, he’s been here and competed at a high level before and we’re very much looking forward to the challenge. This race is a very strong race than what he competed in in January here but he’s very good.
“It seems like he’s taken no side effects from Saudi, he’s bounced out of it well – all guns blazing really.
“He seems to be very happy, healthy and he’s working well. He’s a horse that thrives on high pressure and obviously the tougher the races, the better he goes as we’ve found out over the years.
“So, he’ll be up for the challenge again. Obviously, it’s a very competitive race with some very strong contenders and he’ll have to be at his brilliant best but from my point of view, I don’t think he’s taken a backward step from Saudi so hopefully he runs well.”
Returning to Dubai for the first time to race since he smashed the track record in winning the Group 1 Jebel Hatta (1800m) in January, Romantic Warrior will face 10 rivals this weekend, including last year’s Dubai Turf winner Facteur Cheval, who jumps from gate 11.
“I think if he (Romantic Warrior) runs up to the Jebel Hatta run, he’ll be very hard to beat,” McDonald said. “We’re confident he likes the surface, he’s got round this track beautifully which he normally does anyway. With the 1800m, it’s a long run down the (back) straight. He certainly enjoys the firm surface we’re likely to get on the hot day and he copes with everything pretty well. He’s a well-seasoned horse.”
Reflecting on Romantic Warrior’s barrier draw, Shum said: “Gate nine is not a problem. He’s flexible. If he gets a fast pace, (McDonald) can give him a chance to settle. If the race is slow, he can sit close.”
Assessing Howdeepisyourlove’s chances, McDonald said: “I’m really looking forward to his race. He’s a really good horse who’s really consistent, so I think that’s a really good thing when travelling.
“He doesn’t really run a bad one and he’s competed against the best sprinter in the world at the moment in Ka Ying Rising – obviously, a fair way back behind him, but he’s always second or third duelling it out with Helios Express.
“I think that form line is as good as any sprinting form line around. You could safely say if Ka Ying Rising was in this field, he’d be a very short-priced favourite and probably winning by four or five lengths, so we’re in the ballpark and I think he’s a terrific hope.”
McDonald starred on his Dubai debut in January with a treble crowned by Romantic Warrior’s record-breaking Jebel Hatta romp.
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