James McDonald has more than one champion to ride at present and after steering Autumn Glow to victory in the Group I ATC Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday he flew to Hong Kong and on Sunday won the Group I Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) aboard the mighty Romantic Warrior (IRE).
Sauntering to a four-length victory in the Triple Crown’s second leg, which follows his win in the HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) and will climax with the HK$13 million G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) on 24 May, Romantic Warrior won a record-extending 13th Group 1 – the most for a Hong Kong-trained horse.
The Danny Shum trained champion son of Acclamation won as he pleased in the field of six, clocking 1:59.77 for the 2000m.
“He’s just beautifully prepared. Danny’s just done a marvellous job, and each and every time I hop on him, I just cherish the moment. I feel so special every time and you look between his ears and he’s just so alert,” McDonald said.
Boasting world-record earnings of HK$254.66 million, Romantic Warrior has also won Group 1 races in Australia, Japan and the United Arab Emirates.
“It’s a small field, and he’s very fit, actually. His condition is getting better and better. The 2000 metres is his best trip. I think he can handle it (2400m), but I don’t know if any overseas horses will come (in May), but I think they have a lot of potential,” said Danny Shum.
Shum indicated Romantic Warrior will chase a fourth HK$30 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) after wins from 2022-2024 on FWD Champions Day (26 April) before the Triple Crown’s last leg, the Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m).
The 8-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 best of four winners from Street Cry mare Folk Melody, a daughter of Group I winner Folk Opera.
