Connections of Romantic Warrior indicated no concerns with being drawn in barrier two as the stage was set for the HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (14 December).

Danny Shum’s hometown hero is set to face six rivals this weekend in his attempt to lift the title for the fourth time in a row.

“Draw two is good,” Shum said. “It’s a small field, so it’s not a big deal. It means we can be versatile with the strategy.”

Romantic Warrior has had an eventful year, beginning with his courageous second to Forever Young in the G1 Saudi Cup (1800m, dirt) in Riyadh and filling the same spot, a nose behind Soul Rush, in the G1 Dubai Turf (1800m) at Meydan Racecourse.

However, it was at the end of May that Romantic Warrior had a screw inserted into his left front leg after an injury had been discovered. The 10-time Group 1 winner made a flawless return to action on his recent lead-up start in the G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m).

“I was so sad when he had the surgery. It was one screw, it wasn’t too bad for him, but for me, it was very bad,” Shum continued. “I’m very proud of him. In Hong Kong, not just racing people, everyone knows him.”

Looking at the race, Shum said: “I haven’t studied the field because we hadn’t had the draw, but I will be doing some work on it. His form is better than last time, he’s improving. He’s finished his final gallop and will only do some slow canter work now.”

Romantic Warrior’s owner Peter Lau took to the stage at Thursday’s (11 December) barrier draw in the Sha Tin Parade Ring and said: “He had the surgery but he seems to have recovered well. When he came back, to see what he did, I was very happy and relaxed.”

Lau also confirmed that another trip to the Gulf to take on Forever Young, the horse he joked “whose name says he never gets old”, was on the cards.

“He’s (Romantic Warrior) eight next year, now it’s a race at a time. If all goes well this Sunday, what happens next will be the horse racing ‘Rumble In The Jungle’,” he said. “This time we’ll be the underdog against the dirt champion, but we’ll enjoy it.”

Of the others, Straight Arron is in gate one with Rousham Park in three, Quisisana in four, Bellagio Opera in five and Chancheng Glory drawn six.

Joseph O’Brien’s Galen, who posted an encouraging second in last month’s G1 Bahrain International Trophy (2000m), is in barrier seven.

Romantic Warrior’s jockey James McDonald today (11 December) reflected on his partner’s qualities.

“It’s pretty remarkable to think what he’s trying to achieve; he’s just been such a good horse for such a long time, his longevity has been remarkable,” McDonald said. 

“This Hong Kong Cup, he seems in as good an order as he could possibly be in and we’re really looking forward to the race.

“He’s a funny horse, I’ve had nothing like it in my life in terms of that I never feel like he’s ever going to lose, no matter what. He’s just a superb racehorse; he always gives his best, which is most important, he’s got a great racing style. It’s just a privilege to ride him.”

Turning to the opposition, McDonald said: “If Rousham Park brings his best form, he was highly spruiked a couple of years ago, Bellagio Opera is in great form and a young horse on the way up.

“(Quisisana) looks hard to beat, she’s had a terrific year. There’s definitely good competitors for him (Romantic Warrior), and he’s going to need things to go right but in saying that, he’s in a good spot.”

Sunday’s (14 December) 10-race fixture at Sha Tin starts at 12.25pm with the Class 4 Fairy King Prawn Handicap (1400m).