In an epic finish to the $5,000,000 Group 1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley, fans were on their feet as Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior (IRE) edged two of Australia’s most popular horses, Mr Brightside and Alligator Blood in a finish that fooled many on course.
Bouncing back from his fourth in the Turnbull Stakes, Romantic Warrior seemed to run his race in patches, but winning rider James McDonald revealed it was part of his plan, which was decided when the judge found a margin of a nose over the gallant Mr Brightside (Bullbars).
The equally courageous Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) was a short-neck back in third.
A relieved Danny Chum welcomed his champion back to scale.
“First thing, I’d like to thank Moonee Valley Racing Club,” Chum said.
“Second, I want to say I am from China Hong Kong. Hong Kong Jockey Club, there is some team. Thank you very much.
“I don’t know how to tell you how happy I am.
“I want to thank Peter (Lau), the owner, for allowing me to come here. James McDonald, all the team, all the Hong Kong fans, my wife Christine, my son Aaron. I love you! I love you!
“After that (the Turnbull), he was not really ready, but he got better day-by-day.
“I was confident he would run a good race. It is a strong race.
“He overcame all of the challenges and the difficulties. James McDonald gave me a very good report.
“It has big meaning for me as a trainer. It makes me happy. I’m more happy than I can tell you.”
James McDonald admitted he thought he had been beaten.
“This horse is pretty special to me. I mentioned if he came to a Cox Plate he’d be a suitable horse,” McDonald said.
“I meant what I said and credit to Peter and Danny, it takes a hell of a lot of balls to come out of Hong Kong with all the prizemoney. It is one of the world's best racing jurisdictions, and they come here and showcase their boy.
“I reckon he’s got more to come, too. He’s been bubbling. A significant amount of improvement like I thought he did (would) and he loves the bloody Valley!
“I was comfortable. I knew I was on the right horse I kept going ‘he’s the best horse, he’s the best horse’ so I’d ride him like it.
“I took a gamble about the 1000m or 1200m. We elected to come back a spot and right now I believe that was the winning move. Giving my horse an extra length to come back.
“I let Alligator Blood out, knowing I can still beat him having last crack.”
The son of Acclamation advances his record to 11 wins and three seconds from 16 starts with earnings the equivalent of $17,955,885.
The 6-year-old gelding was purchased by Mick Kinane on behalf of the Hong Kong Jockey Club for 300,000gns at the 2019 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.
Bred in Ireland by Tim Rooney and David Egan of Corduff Stud, Romantic Warrior was sold at the Hong Kong International Sale to Peter Lau for HK$4.8 million ($814,000).
He is the third foal of the Street Cry (IR) mare Folk Melody, which was an €82,000 purchase for Blandford Bloodstock from the Godolphin draft at the 2016 Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale.
