James McDonald indicated it’s all systems go for Romantic Warrior after the champion ticked off his final fast work on Tuesday (18 February) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse ahead of Saturday’s (22 February) G1 Saudi Cup (1800m, dirt) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  

Danny Shum’s galloper – earner of a world record HK$179.66 million (approx. US$23.09 million) – is chasing victory in the globe’s richest race worth US$20 million (approx. HK$155.69 million) when he makes a groundbreaking first start on the dirt in Saudi Arabia.

“He’s a pretty cruisy customer and he takes everything in his stride. Nothing’s really changed from Dubai onwards. He’s worked on the dirt and obviously that’s the big question mark and we won’t know until race day,” McDonald said.

“He’s really good. He’s very well within himself. Danny and the team have done a really good job over the last month by keeping him in a really healthy condition. He seems really good.”

A Group 1 winner in Hong Kong, Australia, Japan and Dubai, Romantic Warrior faces opposition from the likes of Japan, the United States of America, South America and Saudi Arabia, headlined by well-travelled duo Forever Young and Ushba Tesoro.

Romantic Warrior won the G1 Jebel Hatta (1800m) in course record time (1m 45.10s) by a comfortable four and a half lengths last month at Meydan in Dubai. The horse sported grip shoes in yesterday’s hit-out.

“I’ve got a feeling that he will be successful on the dirt. He’s just a very good racehorse – so he’ll adapt well. The main thing is that his wellbeing is spot on. He looks great and he feels great, so we can’t do anymore,” McDonald said.

Saturday’s field also includes Al Musmak, Defunded, El Kodigo, Facteur Cheval, Intense For Me, Ramjet, Rattle N Roll, Wait To Excel, Walk Of Stars, Wilson Tesoro, Wootton’sun and Scotland Yard. Barriers will be drawn this evening (Wednesday, 19 February).

“I haven’t ridden on too many dirt tracks so I can’t really compare too many, but he seemed to handle it ok. It’s a real powdery sort of track and the kickback was there but it wasn’t coarse or anything,” McDonald said.

Michael Kinane is one of world racing’s most distinguished figures and the former jockey sources northern hemisphere prospects for The Hong Kong Jockey Club – a role that set him on a collision course with Hong Kong racing’s courageous banner horse Romantic Warrior.

The 2019 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in Newmarket, England is where it started for Romantic Warrior – offered as Lot 975 on Corduff Stud’s account – and Kinane, who successfully secured the bay juvenile for 300,000gns.

“He was just the perfect model for what I was looking for – a middle-distance horse. He had a lovely colour, great eye and a great athletic walk to him. He just caught my eyes straight away and I was lucky to get him and lucky to buy him,” Kinane said.

Entered in the 2021 Hong Kong International Sale, the Irish-bred gelding was then bought by current owner Peter Lau for HK$4.8 million.

“He has self-belief. Horses like him they get so much confidence, and you can see it in him. He knows he has the ability and he has great courage when needed,” Kinane said.

Kinane, who rode Viva Pataca to consecutive Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) scores in 2006 and 2007 among other big race wins in Hong Kong atop Able One, Idol, Luso, Precision and Red Bishop, has ridden previously in Saudi Arabia.

“Romantic Warrior’s huge asset is his gate speed and anytime there’s a huge tempo on, he seems to be at his best. You’ll find that probably in this race which can help him.

“The kickback is always the big one when they’re not used to it. The good thing about it is, and I’ve ridden in Saudi Arabia, it is the best dirt track in the world with regards to kickback.

“For a horse to take his first shot at the dirt, it’s the best surface in the world to take your shot at it because the kickback that comes back is not heavy, it comes back more or less in a spray.

“It’s not like Dubai or America where the kickback is clumpy and very severe. If a horse hesitates just one stride, then you’re down two seconds, and it’s very hard if the horses head is up and he’s not getting traction,” Kinane said.

Mishriff (2021) and Panthalassa (2023) – both turf Group 1 winners – have previously won the Saudi Cup.

“We’re all hoping and fingers crossed he can do it, he never lets anybody down this horse,” Kinane said.