Following the defeats of the superstars Golden Sixty and California Spangle, Romantic Warrior (IRE) sent fans home happy when repelling a strong Japanese challenge to win a record third consecutive Group 1 FWD Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin.
With James Mcdonald in the saddle, the Danny Shum-trained gelding was caught three wide early. When slotting in one of the fence, McDonald was forced to go again when the backmarkers went forward.
Romantic Warrior kept up a relentless gallop to defeat the 6-year-old Deep Impact entire Prognosis, whose run was enormous, having missed the start.
Another Japanese runner, the Maurice (JPN) entire North Bridge, battled on courageously for third.
James McDonald said Romantic Warrior (IRE) had no right to win the race.
"I can't believe this horse; he brings a tear to my eye," McDonald marvelled.
"He was beaten at the 600m, but it's incredible, he just finds a way.
"I dead-set did not have one thing go my way. I had ten riders against me and the horse. I had no favours at all, and he pulled out a run like that. Incredible!
"There was not one part of the race that I was happy with. I was deep but in a rhythm, not in a good spot. A 1000m from home I was finally having a rest and one took off. Then at the 600m he was off the bridle and struggling in the ground, but he picked up and I was in total disbelief. "
The win advances the record of the 6-year-old son of Acclamation to 14 wins and three seconds from 19 starts.
Owner Peter Lau purchased Romantic Warrior at the 2022 Hong Kong International Sale for HK$4.8 million.
Bred in Ireland by Tim Rooney and David Egan of Corduff Stud, Romantic Warrior is the best of three winners from four to race for 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.
Corduff Stud recouped 85,000 gns when the Exceed And Excel filly she was carrying sold to Rabbah Bloodstock the year before Romantic Warrior's sale.
Named Melodic Charm (IRE), she won two races at Wolverhampton and was fourth in a Group III at Kempton at two.
Consigned to Tattersalls in 2022, Melodic Charm (IRE) was knocked down to China Horse Club for 270,000 gns with a positive test to Acclamation's son Dark Angel.
Folk Melody won on debut at Newmarket at two, then failed to place in a further four starts at three.
Her dam Folk Opera (Singspiel) was a top-notch performer for Saeed bin Suroor, winning the Group 1 EP Taylor Stakes at Woodbine, Group II Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville, and the Listed Pinnacle Stakes at Haydock.
