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Romantic Warrior Continues on his Winning Way in Hong Kong Cup

Mark Smith - Sunday Dec 11

With James McDonald in the saddle, Hong Kong Derby winner Romantic Warrior (IRE) put a class field to the sword in Sunday’s Group 1 The Longines Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin.

Glorious shot by Alex Evers of James McDonald saluting on Romantic Warrior

With the scalp of California Spangle on his belt in the Derby, Romantic Warrior (IRE) was in a race of his own over the final 200m.

The Danny Shum-trained son of Acclamation defeated Danon The Kid (JPN) (Just A Way) by four and a half lengths, with Money Catcher (NZ) (Ferlax) a half-length back in third.

It was the third consecutive win for Romantic Warrior (IRE), advancing his record to nine wins from ten starts.

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His only loss came when fourth in the Hong Kong Classic Cup in February, won by  California Spangle.

Honoured last season as the Champion 4YO & Middle Distance Horse in Hong Kong, Romantic Warrior (IRE) was a 300,000gns purchase for the Hong Kong Jockey Club at the 2019 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 2.

He is the best of three winners from as many to race for the Street Cry (IRE) mare Folk Melody, a daughter of the Group 1 EP Taylor Stakes and Group II Prix Jean Romanet winner Folk Opera (Singspiel). 

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Race Result - The Longines Hong Kong Cup Gr1 2000m

Sha Tin Track: Good Time: 1:59.70
1
Romantic Warrior
- 5g Acclamation (GB) x Folk Melody (IRE) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: C S Shum Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57
2
4.5
Danon The Kid
- 5h Just A Way (JPN) x Epic Love (IRE) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: Takayuki Yasuda Rdr: Y Kitamura 57
3
5.0
Money Catcher
- 5g Ferlax (NZ) x Warren's Sister (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: F C Lor Rdr: S De Sousa 57
4
6.3
Tourbillon Diamond
- 6g Olympic Glory (IRE) x Modave (NZ) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: C S Shum Rdr: J Bowman 57
5
6.4
Russian Emperor
- 6g Galileo (IRE) x Atlantic Jewel (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: D Whyte Rdr: B Shinn 57
6
6.8
Geoglyph
- 4h Drefong (USA) x Aromatico (JPN) (King Kamehameha (JPN))
Tnr: T Kimura Rdr: W Buick 56
7
7.3
Jack D'Or
- 5h Maurice (JPN) x Ravarino (USA) (Unbridled's Song (USA))
Tnr: K Fujioka Rdr: Y Take 57
8
9.0
Ka Ying Star
- 8g Cityscape (GB) x Casual Glance (GB) (Sinndar (IRE))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: Luke Ferraris 57
9
9.8
Lei Papale
- 6m Deep Impact (JPN) x Shells Lei (JPN) (Kurofune (USA))
Tnr: Tomokazu Takano Rdr: J Moreira 55.5
10
14.3
Panthalassa
- 6h Lord Kanaloa (JPN) x Miss Pemberley (IRE) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: Yoshito Yahagi Rdr: Y Yoshida 57
11
21.3
Order Of Australia
- 6h Australia (GB) x Senta's Dream (GB) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: A O'Brien Rdr: Ryan Moore 57
12
21.4
Savvy Nine
- 7g Anodin (IRE) x Insan Mala (IRE) (Bahhare (USA))
Tnr: D Whyte Rdr: K Teetan 57
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