Hugh Bowman is hoping to halt Romantic Warrior’s Triple Crown bid when the Australian rider gets legged up on overseas raider Rousham Park in the HK$13 million G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) on 24 May at Sha Tin.

Bowman defeated Romantic Warrior in the 2023 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup when Russian Emperor edged past the 14-time Group 1 winner, giving the Australian a second win in the contest after also partnering Werther to success in 2017.

“It’s always nice to pick up a Japanese horse if the opportunity comes. Being a mile and a half here in Hong Kong, there’s not many to choose from at that level here, but I’m really excited – I thought he ran a creditable race here in December,” Bowman said.

Owned by Sunday Racing, Rousham Park has been defeated by Romantic Warrior twice – finishing eighth and fifth in the 2023 and 2025 G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m), respectively. If he claims the Triple Crown, Romantic Warrior will earn a HK$10 million bonus.

A six-time winner trained by Hiroyasu Tanaka, Rousham Park has twice placed at the elite level in the 2024 G1 Osaka Hai (2000m) and 2024 G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf (2400m).

Bowman has 53 wins this season. He takes seven rides tomorrow night (Wednesday, 6 May) at Sha Tin’s nine-race all-dirt fixture, topped by Aurora Patch (130lb) in the Class 3 Begonia Handicap (1200m) for trainer Manfred Man.

“He’s going really well – he’s a very consistent horse. We’ve drawn a bit wide (10), but it’s probably not the worst thing for him because he’s not overly sharp in the first few strides. He likes to build his momentum and he’ll get time to do that from that draw.

“I think he’s at a rating (80) that he can win at and that’s been proven the last two runs (twice second). He feels good to me,” Bowman said.

Bowman is enjoying a stellar stretch. He won a third HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) in March and a second HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) in April after Red Lion in 2025, who was officially retired from racing on Monday (4 May).

Bowman said: “It was probably the highlight of my season last year. He’s (Red Lion) a very courageous horse. I don’t think he over-achieved winning a Group 1 race because he proved on the right day that he can compete against the best horses.”

Success for Red Lion came as a surprise at odds of 89/1 over Voyage Bubble in the FWD Champions Mile. Formerly trained in Ireland, Red Lion signs off from racing in Hong Kong with six wins from 37 appearances for HK$39.03 million in earnings.

Owned by Ronald Arculli and his wife Johanna, Red Lion was trained by John Size, who said: “He’s been a lovely horse. I hope they keep him busy and he enjoys retirement. At a point in his career, we didn’t think he was going to go any higher than the top of Class 3, but he improved and went on and on.

“When he was given the opportunity to win the big race he won it – we couldn’t ask for any more. It’s been a really remarkable result for everybody.”

Bowman and Size combine in the Class 5 Osmanthus Handicap (1650m) tomorrow when Meepmeep (128lb) searches for a second career win against 13 rivals at Sha Tin.

“He deserves a win. He’s got a good barrier (two). He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in his last two starts, but I’ve ridden him a few times now, so I understand his characteristics. He’s certainly going well enough to win if the race is run to suit,” Bowman said.

Apprentice Nichola Yuen is in demand with a full book of nine rides, including Dragon Air Force (130lb) for trainer Ricky Yiu in the Class 3 Camellia Handicap (1650m).

“He ran a very good race last start. I think tomorrow is going to be even better because we have a very good draw (five) and he’s keeping his form,” Yuen said.

Andrea Atzeni fired in a running treble on Sunday (3 May). The Italian ace links with Juicy Dragon (126lb) in the third section of the Class 4 Carnation Handicap (1200m).

“He obviously won well three starts back. He’s not had much luck in his last two runs with the draw. We have a slightly better draw tomorrow in five. If things fall right, I think he can win again,” Atzeni said.

Wednesday’s (6 May) nine-race all-dirt fixture at Sha Tin commences at 6.45pm with the Class 5 Osmanthus Handicap (1650m).

By Declan Schuster

Photo: HKJC