James McDonald has hailed Romantic Warrior as “bullet proof” after the evergreen champion swept to a fourth victory in the HK$30 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (26 April) to reaffirm his standing as one of the world’s premier middle-distance stars.

Pitted against Group 1 winners from around the world, Romantic Warrior surged to his 14th Group 1 triumph, boosted his world record earnings to HK$271.46 million and improved his career record to 23 wins and five minor placings from 30 starts for trainer Danny Shum and owner Peter Lau.

Purchased for HK$4.8 million at the 2021 Hong Kong International Sale, Romantic Warrior has won 14 of 15 starts over 2000m at Sha Tin, including a record four G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cups and a BMW Hong Kong Derby – and his latest accomplishment was never in doubt.

Settling fourth behind a modest tempo set by Numbers and Giovanni, Romantic Warrior enjoyed a trouble-free run and, after the pace quickened from the 800m, the veteran accelerated powerfully at the 300m to take the lead and quickly put paid to his opposition.

Clocking 21.91s for his final 400m, Romantic Warrior won by a length from Masquerade Ball, with Sosie a half-length further away, in 2m 00.64s to confirm his standing as an international 2000m powerhouse.

“It’s just an honour to be riding a horse like him,” McDonald said. “It makes a jockey’s life so easy. He makes things happen which other horses don’t and that’s why he has got the record that he has got.

“He is just bullet proof, really. Over this 10-furlong (race), he just starts well, puts himself in a good spot, rests when he has to rest and then shows an incredible turn of foot.

“I thought the opposition today was very warranted, and had great respect for it and was actually quite worried about it with that Masquerade Ball. I thought he was incredible, and he is one of the best in Japan.

“His run in the Japan Cup (G1, 2400m) was nothing short of incredible. We had great respect for him today, and if he was ever going to get beaten, it was a horse like that.

“He (Romantic Warrior) feels enormous. I take my hat off to Danny and his team and they are just simply incredible.
“It’s probably the best he has ever looked. He just looked so unbelievably well, and he is so relaxed. In Dubai and Saudi, he was really worked up, and even in his work, he was worked up.

“It’s a dream come true and he is a dream come true and I pinch myself every time I hop on him.”

Shum confirmed the HK$13 million G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) at Sha Tin on 24 May was Romantic Warrior’s next objective, where victory would complete the Triple Crown – following victories in the G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) and G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) – and earn a HK$10 million bonus.

“I have to speak to Peter (about the Triple Crown), but why not? There’s a $10 million bonus and (Voyage) Bubble did it, so hopefully Romantic Warrior can hopefully do it too,” Shum said.

“I’m thankful I have Romantic Warrior, and Romantic Warrior is also thankful for me. My team has done a lot of hard work with him. He’s been in good form this season – it (2000m) is his best distance in Hong Kong. I was quite confident he could win this.

“I don’t tell him he’s eight years old, I always keep telling him he’s five only – that is a joke, but he races very easily and he’s very good. He’s a super, super champion.”

Shum was equally effusive about McDonald, who has been aboard the champion in 16 victories, including in G1 triumphs in Australia (W. S. Cox Plate, 2040m), Japan (Yasuda Kinen, 1600m) and Dubai (Jebel Hatta, 1800m).

“He’s (McDonald) the number one jockey in the world. He loves Romantic Warrior and Romantic Warrior loves him,” Shum said.

Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday (29 April).

By: Leo Schlink

Photo: HKJC