Photograph: Hong Kong Jockey Membership
romantic warrior On Sunday, he received the HK$13 million G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) for the second time at Sha Tin Racecourse, beating 5 rivals by 4 lengths and increasing his G1 win file to 13, essentially the most by a Hong Kong-trained horse.
The Acclamation gelding, skilled by Danny Shum and ridden by James McDonald, broke by way of easily from the fourth barrier and settled into third place as Magnificence Pleasure took management of the tempo. MacDonald guided Romantic Warrior out for house and the 8-year-old slipped by way of simply. The victory adopted the pair’s success on the 2024 competitors.
Ensued, skilled by John Saiz, maintained second place. Successful Wing, skilled by Francis Louie and ridden by Dylan Moe, got here in an in depth third. All runners carried 126 kilos.
“He is ready nice,” McDonald stated. “Danny has performed an awesome job. Each time I soar on him, I cherish each second. It feels so particular each time. I look between his ears and he is so alert.”
The Gold Cup was the second leg of the Hong Kong Triple Crown for Romantic Warrior, who received the HK$13 million Stewards’ Cup (G1) over 1,600 meters in his earlier outing. The ultimate race, the HK$13 million Normal Chartered Champions & Constitution Cup (G1) over 2,400 meters, is scheduled for Might 24, with a profitable sweep incomes a HK$10 million bonus.
Mr Shum stated the gelding’s situation continued to enhance.
“It is a small area and he is truly very wholesome,” Shum stated. “My situation is getting higher and higher. 2,000 meters is my finest distance. I feel (2,400 meters) can be high quality. I do not know if overseas horses will come (in Might), however I feel it is extremely probably.”
Romantic Warrior holds the best grossing worldwide with HK$254.66 million. The gelding, a 2021 Hong Kong Worldwide Sale graduate who was bought by proprietor Peter Lau for HK$4.8 million, ran a time of 1 minute 59.77 seconds, masking the ultimate 400 meters in 22.52 seconds. He has additionally received Group 1 races in Australia, Japan and the United Arab Emirates.
Sham, 65, indicated that Romantic Warrior will goal for a fourth FWD QEII Cup (G1) on FWD Champions Day on April 26, earlier than the ultimate race of the Triple Crown. The eight-year-old horse received the HK$30 million race over 2,000 meters between 2022 and 2024.
Past this season, Sham has not dominated out a return to Saudi Arabia in 2025, the place Romantic Warrior completed second to Without end Younger within the Saudi Cup (G1) 1800m on grime.
“I feel he’ll go to the QEII Cup earlier than ending the season after which the Champions and Charters,” Shum stated. “Perhaps subsequent season we’ll play within the Saudi Cup, however for now we’ll go away every part open.”
With this win, Romantic Warrior has additionally received Viva Pataca (2008 and 2009), Army Assault (2013 and 2014), Designs on Rome (2015 and 2016), Time Warp (2018 and 2020), and Golden Sixty (2021 and 2023). Because of this they’ve received the Metropolis Hong Kong Gold Cup twice for the reason that starting of this century.
Romantic Warrior, who was sired on March 18, 2018 at Corduffstad, County Kildare, Eire, completed second to Russian Emperor within the 2023 Champions & Constitution Cup. Within the historical past of Hong Kong horse racing, solely River Verdon (1993-94) and final season’s Voyage Bubble have received the Triple Crown.
Jockey Hugh Bowman, who rode 4th place My Want, praised the rider’s efforts.
“I assumed he was courageous,” Bowman stated. “I assumed it was a superb take a look at of stamina and velocity. The stamina was uncovered to him, however the velocity was there.”
Jockey Dylan Brown-McMonagle was happy with Ensudo’s runner-up end.
“Tremendous run,” Brown McMonagle stated. “A robust gallop suited him properly. He was in nice form, good and difficult, so second place is a good outcome.”
Mr Mo stated the outcome was a optimistic step for Successful Wing.
“This race is Group 1 so it was a superb run,” Mo stated.
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