Romantic Warrior thrilled the Sha Tin crowd as he delivered a fourth successive victory within the Longines Hong Kong Cup.
James McDonald oozed confidence all through aboard the seven-year-old, completely satisfied to take a seat in fourth place behind the front-running Galen earlier than shifting wider on the flip for house and winding up his problem.
Romantic Warrior assumed the lead with the minimal of fuss and started to essentially assert within the remaining furlong, with McDonald pushing him out for a clear-cut victory over Bellagio Opera.
An emotional McDonald: “He’s so special. He’s just a freak.
“I do not know what to say. I simply love him.”
Romantic Warrior has not been overwhelmed on house soil since 2023 and took his profession earnings surging previous £24m on the top-class card.
The Danny Shum-trained runner was concerned in one of many finishes of the season as he and Ceaselessly Younger went toe-to-toe within the Saudi Cup, with Romantic Warrior overwhelmed only a neck.
He subsequently suffered a shock defeat in Dubai and later underwent surgical procedure for a fetlock harm.
Shum stated: “I’m very proud of Romantic Warrior and our stable team, they work really hard. It’s a big relief. He always gives me a lot of happiness, not only me but my stable, owners, my family and in Hong Kong, even racing fans or non-racing fans, they all love Romantic Warrior.
“To be sincere, there was a variety of strain. He had his surgical procedure however he’s such a great, calm, pretty horse. He is a part of my household, I really like him. My son says I really like Romantic Warrior greater than him!
“He’s very easy to train. He doesn’t need too much work and his body weight will tell you, his appetite will tell you how fit he is.”
Shum and proprietor Peter Lau will now focus on future plans, with one other Saudi Cup conflict with Ceaselessly Younger a risk.
The coach added: “I always say, we know he’s turning eight really soon, but he doesn’t know he’s turning eight,” he stated.
“This is amazing. He’s been in Australia, Japan, Dubai, second in the biggest prize money in the world in Saudi (Arabia). Also second in the Dubai Turf. He’s come back and had two wins.
“The plan is at all times made by the proprietor, Peter. He has knowledge, all of us belief him. If he says, ‘Danny, go to Saudi Arabia’, I will go to Saudi Arabia. If he says, ‘Danny keep in Hong Kong’, I will keep in Hong Kong. We’re a great crew, I belief Peter rather a lot.”
