Romantic Warrior was the centre of attention at Sha Tin this morning (Tuesday, 10 January) as he pleased connections with a soft first-past-the-post effort in his 1000m turf course hit-out, only 19 days before his probable blockbuster showdown with Golden Sixty and California Spangle in the HK$12 million G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m).
Trained by Danny Shum and paired with Karis Teetan, Romantic Warrior clocked 58.75s down the straight as he strode one and a quarter lengths clear of Super Fortune, while Super Win Dragon finished in third position.
“He trialled good, I always say ‘he’s very professional this horse’ and I’m happy with that. Karis came back and reported everything was positive, he’s a happy horse, he’s sound and we’re ready for the Stewards’ Cup,” Shum said.
Shum’s charge – who has won nine of his 10 starts in Hong Kong – will hit a Hong Kong Triple Crown campaign this term which kicks off with the Stewards’ Cup before the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) in February and G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) in May.
“We were very happy with today, we let him come and do what he always wants to do, just leave him comfortably and I must say that at the 200 (metre mark), I put a bit of a pressure on him and he responded – just pure class,” Teetan said.