Champion galloper Romantic Warrior will aim to complete a sweep of Hong Kong’s 2000m Group 1 races on Sunday afternoon (25 February) at Sha Tin.
Engaged to run in the HK$13 million G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m), the five-time Group 1-winning Romantic Warrior finished second in this race last year to Golden Sixty and returns after a 77-day break in a bid to add to his victories in the G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) (2022 & 2023) and G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) (2022 & 2023).
“He’s very good. He’s happy, healthy and in good form. Hugh Bowman gave a very positive report to me (after his grass gallop on Tuesday, 20 February),” Shum said.
Vengeance Of Rain and Designs On Rome are the only horses since the turn of the century to win the trio of 2000m races at Sha Tin across their respective careers – the Hong Kong Cup, Hong Kong Gold Cup and QEII Cup.
Partnered in key workouts – including a barrier trial – recently by Hugh Bowman, Romantic Warrior’s other big-race wins include the 2023 G1 W.S. Cox Plate (2040m), 2022 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) and 2022 Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m).
The 132-rating six-year-old will meet fellow BMW Hong Kong Derby champ Voyage Bubble for the first time. Straight Arron, Beauty Joy, Champion Dragon, Five G Patch, Nimble Nimbus, Senor Toba, Sword Point, Money Catcher and Encountered also feature.
“The pace in the race should be ok. I think he (Romantic Warrior) has a very good chance. Voyage Bubble and Straight Arron are the toughest opponents – it should be a good race,” Shum said.