James McDonald is optimistic Romantic Warrior can become the first Hong Kong-trained horse in 18 years to triumph in Australia when Danny Shum’s flagbearer contests the AU$5 million (approx. HK$24.813 million) G1 W.S. Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday (28 October).

The last Hong Kong galloper to win in Australia was David Oughton-trained Cape Of Good Hope, for Brett Prebble, in the 2005 G1 Australia Stakes (1200m) but McDonald hopes Romantic Warrior can add his name to the W.S. Cox Plate honour roll tomorrow.

McDonald, whose wins aboard Romantic Warrior include the 2022 G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and the 2023 G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m), believes the gelding is ready to peak after a last-start fourth behind Gold Trip in the G1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on 7 October.

Asked how Romantic Warrior could turn the tables on G1 Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip – one of seven W.S. Cox Plate contenders holding entries for the 2023 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races on 10 December – McDonald said: “Just fitness. He’s come on nicely with nice improvement, so we’re hopeful. There’ll be no excuse if he’s beaten. If he’s beaten, he’ll be beaten fair and square. I think he’s on song – I really do.

“All I can compare him to is the Flemington workout (on 2 October), where he blew up basically in the piece off work and he came off the track like he’d had a decent bit of work. Now he’s doing the same bit of work and marching off the track. We’re definitely progressing. He’s definitely going much better than he was going into the Turnbull (Stakes).”

Bidding for a second win in Australasia’s weight-for-age championship after victory aboard James Cummings-trained Anamoe last year, McDonald said he was satisfied with Romantic Warrior’s barrier draw of seven.

“We wanted gates five, six or seven and I haven’t really digested it too much yet but I see Alligator Blood is in (barrier five) and as long as we get a (good) spot in running, that will be the main thing,” McDonald said.

With a record 16 wins, barrier seven is the most successful barrier in W.S. Cox Plate history.

To face 11 rivals at Moonee Valley tomorrow, Romantic Warrior’s opposition includes LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) nominees Mr Brightside, Zaaki, Gold Trip, Duais and Victoria Road, while My Oberon is entered for the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m).

With Romantic Charm’s fourth at Geelong on Wednesday (25 October), Hong Kong runners have compiled a record of one win and 12 placings from 49 starts in Australia.

The G1 W.S. Cox Plate (2040m) is scheduled to be run on Saturday (28 October) at 2.10pm (HKT).