Romantic Warrior for winning return at Sha Tin

Hong Kong racing continues on Sunday, 17 November, with a thrilling 11-race fixture featuring the Group 2 Jockey Club Cup, Group 2 Jockey Club Mile, and Group 2 Jockey Club Sprint.

Reigning Horse Of The Year Romantic Warrior is set to make his return in the Group 2 Jockey Club Cup over 2000m at Sha Tin this Sunday.

Over the past year, Romantic Warrior has proven himself not only as Hong Kong's best but also as a formidable international competitor. The Danny Shum-trained champion has remained unbeaten in his last five starts, all at Group 1 level. This impressive streak began with his first overseas Group 1 win in the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in Australia last October, followed by three Group 1 victories in Hong Kong, including the prestigious Hong Kong Cup.

Unlike the retired Golden Sixty, affectionately known by some punters as “the king of Sha Tin”, Romantic Warrior embraces overseas challenges, most recently showcasing his class with an impressive win in the Group 1 Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo Racecourse. Romantic Warrior has trialled well ahead of his return, and all eyes will be on the champion.

Highly promising four-year-old Packing Power is poised to maintain his perfect record in the Class 3 Handicap over 1200m.

With three wins from three starts, Packing Power has shown he’s a serious racehorse, with his dominant performances suggesting there’s still plenty of potential to improve. In his most recent outing, despite the rise in class and a wide draw, the son of Toronado settled on the pace and completed a hat-trick of wins in emphatic fashion over this track and distance.

The form of that race has since been validated, with both the runner-up and third placegetter winning subsequently, further boosting Packing Power’s prospects of continuing his winning streak this week. - iRACE Magazine

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Blazing Wind was narrowly beaten last start, and with J-Mac jumping on board, he is primed to go one place better. Flying Double caught the eye with a fast-finishing fourth on debut despite a slow start, could make amends with a clean jump. Circuit Victory still a maiden galloper but gets his chance to win in this below-par Class 4 field. Lucky Impact had genuine excuses (blood in trachea) last start and can improve in this race. I Am The Boss has dropped in the ratings and could be placed at value if he finds an easy lead.

Race 2: Win Speed scored a strong on-pace win last start and looks poised to continue his winning ways in Class 4. Ballistic Win a proven performer at this level, he usually runs on well off a fast tempo and needs the pace to suit. Super Love Dragon another contender who generally gets back in the running but dashes home strongly. Beauty Alliance returning from a break and must be respected in a race based on his solid third-place finish last time out. My Flying Angel has trialled impressively with blinkers for his return and could be a knockout chance.

Race 3: The Auspicious having trialled well for his debut, he should be highly competitive in this wide-open field, especially with a good draw. Super Legends a natural frontrunner who has been in great form recently, he looks a strong contender despite the wide draw. Meepmeep showed ability last preparation and looks one to watch first-up. Island Breezes is well prepared with several trials for his debut and commands respect. Colourful Winner outperformed market expectation with a close fourth last start and could place at value.

Race 4: Markwin has gone close at both starts to date, and from an inside draw, he’ll be hard to beat if he settles closer to the speed. Owners’ Praise found the line well despite held up at a crucial stage last start. With Purton taking the reins, he could make amends. View Of The World his recent runs have been encouraging and should run well again from an inside barrier. Amazing Run his recent fast late sectional times suggest he can make his presence felt if the pace suits. Pearl Of Pang’s possesses tactical speed and could cause an upset if allowed a soft lead.

Race 5: Stellar Express had excuses (raced wide) last start and should deliver an improved performance after dropping to 1000m, where he has a reliable record, especially with J-Mac aboard. Fast Network has trialled well since conceding his first defeat last time out and is ideally drawn to make amends. Flying High relishes the return to the Sha Tin straight course and should be included among the better chances. Candlelight Dinner dropping to 1000m is beneficial for him as his overseas record suggests, and improvement is expected. Alpha One has ability but is inconsistent, so consider if his odds present value.

Race 6: Family Jewel a quality stayer in the making, he looks on track for a hat-trick despite rising to Class 3 for the first time. Eighteen Carat finished a close second from an inside draw last start and should run well if he gets an economical run again. Packing Hurricane is better than his recent form suggests and could cause an upset if he finds his best form. Simple Hedge clearly has a better chance over this distance and expect a better run. Californiatotality defied a wide draw to score an impressive win in Class 4 last start and can measure up rising to Class 3.

Race 7: Ka Ying Rising looks the next star sprinter in Hong Kong after scoring his sixth straight win in the G2 Premier Bowl last time. He is the horse to beat, despite an awkward draw. California Spangle a multiple G1 winner, he is ideally weighted under this week’s racing conditions, with the good draw ticking another box. Victor The Winner with tactical speed as his best weapon, he could steal the show if given an uncontested lead. Mugen blessed with an explosive turn of foot, he should run well if they overcook it up front. Howdeepisyourlove could place at value under the right race shape, especially with J-Mac aboard.

Race 8: Galaxy Patch looks like the best miler in Hong Kong after Golden Sixty’s retirement and should be hard to beat with Vincet Ho staying on board. Beauty Eternal a proven performer at this level, coupled with an impressive second-up record, he appears the second-best in this field. Voyage Bubble finished a solid second despite a wide trip last start and could make amends with a smoother run. Chancheng Glory has been in consistent form and could sneaking into the placings. Happy Together was narrowly beaten last start and should run well with fresh legs first-up.

Race 9: Romantic Warrior reigning Horse of the Year with multiple international Group 1 wins, he doesn’t even need to be 100% fit to defeat this field first-up. Five G Patch has been placed at open G1 level and should perform better under this week’s racing conditions. La City Blanche ran on well to place second in a G3 feature last time out and cannot be ignored. Ensued returned to his best form with an impressive win in a G3 feature last start. However, the rise in weight is a major concern. Encountered attacked the line strongly late last time, and with Bowman aboard, he looks a value choice here.

Race 10: King Miles finished strongly into sixth despite a slow start last time out and should go close to winning if he jumps cleanly from an inside draw. Beauty Crescent showed good improvement last start and appears to be a chance. Gracious Express has been in consistent form and let down well in a slowly run race last start. A win wouldn’t be a surprise here. Magnificent Nine caught the eye running home strongly last start and looks a lightweight chance stepping up to 1400m. Johannes Brahms making local debut and has trialled okay recently, so keep an eye on the tote movement.

Race 11: Packing Power has remained unbeaten from three starts and looks poised for a fourth straight win as he remains in Class 3. Divano raced on pace and stuck on for a solid third last start, and should run well again from an inside draw. Young Superstar stuck on well for a solid fifth last start, and from a decent draw, he could show further improvement. Patch Of Cosmo rising in class, he meets better quality horses but can measure up. Thesis returning from a break, he could cause an upset dropping to a sprint distance.