Hugh Bowman gave Romantic Warrior the tick of approval this morning (Tuesday, 14 April) as Danny Shum’s galloper continues his preparation for the HK$30 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) on FWD Champions Day (Sunday, 26 April) at Sha Tin.

Aiming to secure a record-extending fourth FWD QEII Cup after wins in 2022, 2023 and 2024, Romantic Warrior finished an untested second in a barrier trial over 1600m on Sha Tin’s turf under Bowman today in 1m 36.13s behind Numbers with Rubylot third.

“He was great. He went through his paces, and he was nice and relaxed. He can have a tendency sometimes to be a bit fresh and overdo it, but he was really relaxed, so that’s very encouraging for the team going into the main event,” Bowman said. “He went to the line really well and he had a good blow to finish him off from a fitness perspective.”

One of Hong Kong racing’s principal flagbearers in recent years with 13 Group 1 wins in Hong Kong, Australia, Japan and the United Arab Emirates, Romantic Warrior also boasts world-record earnings of HK$254.66 million – a figure he will aim to boost against some of the toughest FWD QEII Cup opposition he will have faced, including international Group 1 winners Masquerade Ball, Royal Champion and Sosie.

James McDonald rides Romantic Warrior in the FWD QEII Cup, while Bowman – who won 25 Group 1 races atop Australian champion Winx – is aboard My Wish when the in-form galloper takes his shot at the HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m).

Bowman said: “He’s going well. I thought his run was excellent in the recent Group 2 race. I think he’s really going to peak at the right time. The barrier draw will be crucial as to where we end up in the run, but I don’t think he has to improve to win the race on what he did last start. He’s just going to need the circumstances of the race to suit him.”

My Wish missed by a short head to Lucky Sweynesse in the G2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) on 6 April. The five-year-old became a Group 2 winner earlier this season when he won the Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m). 

Six-time Group 1 placegetter Helios Express lines up in the HK$24 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) under Australian Bowman.

Bowman said: “He’s such a consistent horse and a pleasure to ride. He has to take on Ka Ying Rising as always but it’s going to be an interesting race with Satono Reve coming – I think that adds some spice to the event. We all know Helios Express and his pattern, and again, barriers will determine where we settle. His lead-up run was excellent.”

Win Method (116lb) seeks a Happy Valley hat-trick in Wednesday night’s (15 April) Class 3 Hong Kong China Rugby Cup Handicap (1650m) under Lyle Hewitson.

“It (1650m) really suits him. He’s obviously just able to find more of a rhythm and more time to travel, which allows him to give a good kick and stay on in the business end of things,” Hewitson said. “He’s two from two over the mile, and he steps up in grade, which is a new challenge but at least he goes down in weight. He’s pretty versatile and he’s doing well – it’s just whether he can handle the step up right now.”

Take Action (124lb) has finished second three times in his past four starts, and jockey Brenton Avdulla hopes to end the frustrating spell from barrier two in the Class 4 Winning Try Handicap (1650m) for 13-time Hong Kong Champion Trainer John Size.

“He’s well-rated now. He’s at that mark where he can hopefully win one. He’s been consistent, so hopefully he can get his head in front on Wednesday,” Avdulla said.

Fatal Blow (127lb) represents Jerry Chau and Mark Newnham in the Class 4 One City Two Passions Handicap (1200m) from gate three after finishing eighth on 25 February.

“Mark gave him a break after his last race to freshen him up, and after this he trialled at Conghua. He trialled very good,” Chau said. “He’s got a very nice action and he’s a very straightforward horse – he listens to the rider. He gave me a very good feeling.”

Wednesday’s (15 April) nine-race fixture kicks off at 6.35pm with the Class 5 Celebrating 50 Years Of The HK Sevens Handicap (1000m).