Warrior ready to burst the bubble

The world’s leading jockey, James McDonald, says globetrotting champion Romantic Warrior feels as good as ever and has maintained his enthusiasm and competitive edge into his eighth year.

As he prepares to travel to Hong Kong for Sunday’s HK$13 million G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin, McDonald revealed connections were pleased with the Acclamation gelding’s preparation for the showdown with last season’s Triple Crown winner, Voyage Bubble.

“Danny’s (Shum) been very happy with him,” McDonald said. “Same with all the guys that look after him. They’ve done a marvellous job this preparation with him.”

Sunday’s race is the second leg of the Triple Crown, and having taken out the first leg – January’s HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) – a win would put the veteran galloper on course to complete Hong Kong’s Triple Crown, one of the few achievements to have eluded him so far in a glittering career. Aside from Voyage Bubble, the only other horse to complete the Triple Crown in Hong Kong racing history was River Verdon in 1993/94.

Connections decided that Romantic Warrior, racing’s all-time leading prize money-winner (HK$247.38 million), would focus on domestic glory this season rather than pursue a foreign mission, which likely would have culminated in a much-anticipated rematch with Forever Young, the Japanese dirt superstar, who edged out Romantic Warrior by a neck in a thrilling G1 Saudi Cup (1800m, dirt) in Riyadh last season.

Domestically, the 12-time Group 1-winner is unbeaten since May 2023 and boasts a near-perfect record over Sunday’s 2000m course at Sha Tin with 12 wins and a second from 13 runs.

“He’s just got a phenomenal record overall,” McDonald said. “He just knows his job so well. He’s such a competitor and you know what you’re going to get from him, and that’s a solid performance every time he steps out.”

Elsewhere, on a bumper race card, Mark Newnham saddles three runners in the second leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m).

Among his hopes is Lucky Sam Gor, who has enjoyed an impressive season, recording four wins from eight runs. He has a 100 per cent record with this season’s surprise package, Jerry Chau, in the saddle, and the 25-year-old, who has ridden 25 winners this term, will take the reins on Sunday.

“Jerry’s had three rides on him for three wins. So he understands him well,” Newnham said.

As is the case for several runners in Sunday’s field, the 1800m distance presents a new challenge. But the Australian handler, who sits third in the trainers’ championship standings on 35 wins for the season, is confident that Lucky Sam Gor is ready to mount a challenge.

“He has come from the low-40s (rating) to contesting a Classic Cup. And you never quite know where his ceiling’s going to be until we reach it,” Newnham said. “I think he’s looking for 1800 metres. Each of his runs, he’s relaxed well and hit the line strongly.

“I think once he learned to relax in his races, he’s shown his true form, and he should get that on Sunday,” Newnham added. - Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Supreme Mastermind will relish the drop in class, and with James McDonald aboard, he is expected to produce a strong effort. Audacious Pursuit boasts a solid record in Class 4 and must be considered a leading contender, given his strong recent form. Amazing Gaze has shown improvement in recent starts and could finally break through if he gets some luck from the wide draw. Good Good the low draw suits his positive racing style, making a forward showing look imminent. Charity Together caught the eye flashing home late last start, and a better draw could spark further improvement.

Race 2: California Bay has been knocking on the door recently and looks poised to break through from a good draw. The Absolute his first-up run in Class 3 was a pass-mark, and with the drop in class, he shapes as a strong contender. Chill Partners showed tactical speed and was narrowly denied last start but will face another awkward draw this time. Mr Cool looks capable of scoring anytime in this grade after racing in consistent form. Decision Link could sneak into the placings at long odds if he can map closer to the speed from a low draw.

Race 3: Circuit Fiery well placed in a below-par Class 4 field and should deliver a strong on-pace showing with a favourable draw. Francis Meynell let down well to finish fifth in a slowly run race last start and could secure a Top 3 finish with a more genuine tempo. Rezeki has shown marked improvement recently and should play a key role. Swagger Bro suited by the switch back to turf and could cause an upset with the drop in ratings. Aquaman produced a much-improved effort last start and should run well again if the roarer condition doesn’t recur.

Race 4: Victory Champion had vet excuses last start and deserves another chance, especially given the favourable draw. Find My Love a proven performer at this level, he is on a competitive mark and must be respected. Gold Patch has trialled well since his narrow debut win and is eyeing a Class 4 double, though the wide draw remains a concern. Glaciated finished strongly for third despite a wide trip last start, and should be right in the mix. Motor attacked the line well late last time out but will need some luck from an awkward draw.

Race 5: Happy Shooter broke through in fine style last start and the form has since been franked, so a double looks well within reach. Conrad Patch has shown ability in both starts and looks one to follow with Bowman taking the reins. Voyage Boss charged home strongly from a wide draw last start, and with a smoother run likely from a better gate, he could make amends. Island Buddy comes off consecutive on-pace wins and could secure a hat-trick under similar conditions. Invictus Dragon badly held up last start and could finish in the money with better luck in running.

Race 6: Mickley stormed home for second despite the slow tempo last start and looks ready to make amends from a low draw. Ga- lactic Voyage won with more in hand last start and a double looks within reach despite the awkward gate. Sight Hermoso has placed twice in Class 3 and should continue the strong run if he handles the rise in trip. Celestial Hero ran on well to finish just outside the money last start and commands respect. Perfectday underperformed last start but looks capable of bouncing back with a better gate, given his strong previous form.

Race 7: Romantic Warrior local champion who is ideally placed under level-weight conditions; he brings an impressive G1 record and should be extremely hard to beat if he produces his customary high-class performance. Voyage Bubble possesses a positive racing style and his tenacity holds him in good stead to deliver a strong performance. My Wish undoubtedly a horse of great talent, he looks just short of a G1 winner for now, though a placing would not surprise. Beauty Joy has placed at this level before and is worth including in exotic bets.

Race 8: Rising Force raced on the speed and stuck on gamely for second last start. From an inside gate, he should enjoy a smooth trip and be hard to run down. Aurio his recent runs have been encouraging, and with Purton staying aboard, he shapes as a strong contender. Geneva resuming from a break and the betting market should provide the best guide. Lucy In The Sky resuming from a bleeding attack, he should run well fresh with a favourable gate. Pakistan Legacy showed improvement last start but repeating it remains a query, given his patchy form.

Race 9: Little Paradise has drawn well to make his presence felt again after an emphatic Classic Mile victory last start. Sagacious Life his winning chances were hindered by the wide draw last start and a favourable gate could see him bounce back here with Purton staying aboard. Invincible Ibis should deliver a strong performance if he can map closer to the speed from an inside draw. Numbers has made all in his last two starts and could be hard to catch if allowed to dictate from a wide draw. Stormy Grove created a huge impression last start when defying a slow tempo to secure a last-to-first win, and could prove a knockout chance, despite meeting a strong field.

Race 10: A wide-open contest with several horses holding winning claims, Karma stormed home for second last start and must be considered a leading contender. Aerodynamics had genuine excuses last start and is expected to show improvement with Purton aboard. Agenda could cause an upset if he returns to a positive racing style, as he has shown before. The Auspicious looks to be a lightweight chance and the inside draw ticks another box. Gentlemen Legacy scored a tenacious win last start and should be competitive again despite the weight rise.

Race 11: Emblazon a progressive 4YO, he looks primed to secure a fourth straight win, despite stepping up to Class 2 for the first time. Gustosisimo turned in a strong last-start effort and has drawn well to build on it with a claiming rider. Juneau Pride with a favourable weight swing, he could turn the tables on likely favourite Emblazon, though the wide draw poses a challenge. Healthy Happy could be hard to peg back if afforded a soft lead, especially with the apprentice claim. All Out For Six should derive plenty of benefit from his local debut and it wouldn’t surprise to see him produce an improved effort second-up. – iRACE Magazine