3 minute read
Hong Kong racing fans came to Sha Tin to see their two superstars – Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior – with an expectation of easy victories and neither horse let them down. Both started at the unbackable odds of 1.10 with the results never really in doubt.
To add icing to the cake, Romantic Warrior created history by winning the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) for a third successive time. He did it with ease defeating the two Japanese runners, filly Liberty Island by one-and-a-half-length with Tastiera in third.
So easily did the six-year-old defy his opposition, jockey James McDonald was able to stand up in his irons and salute the packed Sha Tin grandstands as he passed the line.
Romantic Warrior jumped quickly from his inside gate and McDonald was able to settle into an easy rhythm in fourth place as Irish filly Wingspan set the pace.
Tastiera had tracked in second and attempted to provide competition to Romantic Warrior as they turned for home but as the race progressed in the home straight it was Liberty Island that edged past her compatriot in the closing stages. The winner had already wrapped up the contest with a stunning demonstration of power, speed and grace.
"That was unbelievable, I'm so proud of this horse," said McDonald.
"He's just been remarkable and it's some effort by Danny (Shum, trainer) and his team.
"The Japanese (horses) put it to him but with no luck. He's the best, forget the rest, he's the best. He's been flying and anyone could ride him because he's that easy but I'm the lucky one. He's the horse of a lifetime. This was our moment to create history, and it felt like I was lining up for the winning kick for the All Blacks. It was a 'pinch-me' moment."
Trainer Danny Shum added:
"He was confident and full of energy. I stayed in the stables the whole time, I didn't want to go out to talk too much. I work hard, I love my team and my team has done a great job."
Romantic Warrior has achieved seventeen wins from twenty-two starts, nine at Group One level, including two international elite level successes. Apart from some slight interference just after leading the home straight the first time, James McDonald was able to then slot him one horse off the inside and in the box seat, one out and one back, close-up to the early leader Wingspan and then Tasteira in the home straight. For the final 300m it was clear was going to win. On the line he had completed his job with ease with McDonald enjoying the moment.
Winning this race elevated Romantic Warrior to become the highest prizemoney racehorse of all time with more than £17 million.
Best of the British and European internationals was the Andrew Balding trained The Foxes (fourth) with Calif sixth, Spirit Dancer eighth and the two Aidan O'Brien runners Content seventh and Wingspan in tenth.
Rider of The Foxes, Oisin Murphy said:
"I was delighted with his effort. We had to come back from a wide draw, but I thought the pace was pretty honest and he stayed on all the way to the line. The winner is a very, very good horse."
Whilst Oisin Orr, rider of Spirit Dancer reflected:
"I got caught a bit wide, but he felt a bit flat today."
Connections of Romantic Warrior are looking to add to his already impressive successes. Shum said:
"He's the best, but I have to take another bigger challenge to go to Dubai and Saudi Arabia, just because I haven't been to Dubai for 25 years.
"At that time, I was assistant trainer for Mr Ivan Allan, I had a new experience. I will make sure the team that go there are in the best form.
"The owner Mr Peter Lau said it's a once in a life chance to take the challenge in Saudi Arabia for the top prizemoney in the world. We are experimenting with dirt, but I've tried him in an all-weather trial with a pacifier and he was quite good."
The Saudi Arabian race will be held on the last Saturday in February and Dubai the first weekend in April.
