Warrior chases record QEII Hat-trick

Luke Middlebrook

It's Champions Day at Sha Tin on Sunday, featuring a trio of Group 1s – QEII Cup, Champions Mile, and the Chairman’s Sprint Prize – as the main attractions, supported by a strong undercard on the 10-race fixture.

Local champion ROMANTIC WARRIOR is aiming for a record-breaking hat-trick of Group 1 QE II Cup (2000m) wins, before trainer Danny Shum's stable star embarks on another overseas assault at Tokyo Racecourse on June 2nd.

ROMANTIC WARRIOR solidified his status among the world’s elite with a commanding second consecutive victory in the G1 QEII Cup at Sha Tin last year. He then went on to triumph in the G1 Cox Plate in Australia three starts later. Since then, he has remained unbeaten in two local starts - the G1 Hong Kong Cup and the G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup, all under the guidance of champion jockey James McDonald.

McDonald has remained unbeaten on the six-year-old, apart from his first-up fourth in the Turnbull at Flemington. McDonald is poised to ride in Japan for the first time in nearly a decade, with confirmation that he will partner ROMANTIC WARRIOR in the G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) - his next assignment.

Meanwhile, GOLDEN SIXTY will chase a record-extending fourth Group 1 Champions Mile, in what could be the final appearance of the world’s highest-earning racehorse.

Sunday will mark GOLDEN SIXTY’S return to the races after his astonishing win in December’s Hong Kong Mile on International Day. However, a setback saw GOLDEN SIXTY miss his chance at defending his Stewards’ Cup title in January, which was intended to be the second leg of his farewell tour leading up to Sunday’s Champions Mile, potentially his swan song.

Should GOLDEN SIXTY emerge victorious on Sunday, it will mark an incredible 11th Group 1 victory for trainer Francis Lui’s stable star, while jockey Vincent Ho will aim for a remarkable fifth straight win in the race.

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Sharpen Bright turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly after he was ridden too far back from a wide draw. Reach Goal has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. Just a one-time winner from 20 starts, but an honest place-getter. Romantic Fantasy should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way from barrier 1. Darci Joy had betting support last start and where there is smoke there is fire. Gold Tack good performance when storming home for a nice second last start.

Race 2: Stunning Peach looks well prepared for debut and must be respected. Certainly not an easy task to win first-up with top weight, but he appears to be a horse who will acquit himself well in Hong Kong. Voyage Samurai nice 4YO with a good chance to continue his winning ways here. Up in class and rising to the mile are the queries. Karma has had no luck recently and could run a cheeky race. Star Mac will find this easier than last start in the Derby and can run well. Frantanck should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way. He can give a sight.

Race 3: Open race with plenty of in-form runners here. Lucy In The Sky last-start placing was full of merit, nice effort and ready to win. Divano created a huge impression at local debut and looks talented. Trialled well in between runs and can win again. Lifeline Express consistent performer of late and worth considering. Happy For All good performance when storming home for a nice second last start. Grand Boss has trialled well for debut and should be rated a chance. Will be a price from the wide draw and will need luck.

Race 4: Geneva holding form with recent good trial and looks well. He had every chance last start, but perhaps the rise in distance is what he’s looking for here. Rubylot has ability and is always dangerous in this grade and will map a winning chance from his low draw. Circuit Fiery best run to date was last start and appears to be improving. Third start here and will go close. Beauty Alliance has been trial- ling well (but quietly) and comes from an astute stable (John Size). Dream Pursuer has been knocking on the door and win won’t surprise anyone.

Race 5: California Spangle racing in career-best form now that he’s a reformed sprinter, and he is the one to beat after his most impressive victory at Meydan. He should either vie for the lead or be camped just off the lead and prove too strong late. Victor The Winner should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way. If left alone, he will be hard to get past. Mad Cool must be rated a winning chance if the track is rain affected. He ran past Victor The Winner in their most recent match up over in Japan, which seemed to be a fast run race. Flying Ace generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home. Invincible Sage solid effort last start and must be rated chance here.

Race 6: Another wide-open race with plenty of chances. Ka Ying Victory last start placing was full of merit, nice effort and is back inform. Trialled well since and can bounce back to his winning ways here. Second To None rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up. Top Gun newcomer who has trialled well for debut on numerous occasions and will run a race with luck from the wide draw. Harmony Galaxy former Brazilian galloper having first start and watch the betting odds. His trials have been promising. Beauty Crescent will find this easier than last start in the 4YO races and can run well.

Race 7: Golden Sixty will chase a record-extending fourth Group 1 Champions Mile here. This is likely his swan song and it will come as a surprise to see the champion beat. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. Galaxy Patch highly promising galloper who brings plenty of x-factor and excitement to the race. Unknown at the mile but should be strong late. Voyage Bubble had excuses last start in his run in Dubai and simply forget the run. Go on his prior solid form in Hong Kong. Beauty Eternal every chance last start but still ran a good race. Place chance at best. Beauty Joy well supported last start and won accordingly and may be able to run well again. He will relish a wet track.

Race 8: Romantic Warrior should once again prove too strong late for his rivals here. He bids for an historic third QEII Cup triumph before he heads to the Land of the Rising Sun for his next overseas quest. Barrier 10 is awkward, but his early toe will see him negate it. Massive Sovereign this year’s Derby winner who could be anything in time. He can rise to the occasion in an open class Group 1. Prognosis Japanese galloper who returns to Hong Kong off the back of a big win and was a solid second in this race last year. Dubai Honour third in this race last year when unsuited by a slow run race. Hishi Iguazu third in the HK Cup and well-placed here, and D Lane knows him well.

Race 9: Blue Marlin well-placed and looks a chance in race like this. A good amount of speed engaged here to suit his chances but the rider will need to show early intent from the wide draw. Wonder Kit ultra-consistent galloper and who can play a part in the finish. Drombeg Banner a fast beginner who can run well if he finds an easy lead, which looks highly probable here. Atullibigeal always finishes close up and must be rated a chance at this level. The Golden Scenery good performance when returning to form last start and maps well from his low draw.

Race 10: Stellar Express looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. Looks ready for the rise in distance and last start second was solid after he dipped late. Full Credit scored a big win last start and it will pay to keep following despite the rise in class. Storm Rider had genuine excuses last start and consider again. James Tak was an easy last start winner and looks to be a horse headed higher. Hasten Delight more than capable of winning again in this race - another untapped horse on the rise.