THE FWD QEII CUP: ROMANTIC WARRIOR'S EFFORT LEAVES JAMES MCDONALD SPEECHLESS

By Darren Winningham | Sunday, April 28, 2024

The FWD QEII Cup (Group 1) with a prize money of HK$28 million was the final leg of the three Group 1 events for FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin. Promoted by the HKJC as a day where “WHERE CHAMPIONS TRIUMPH” - I know we have now seen and crowned the new champion of Hong Kong racing – Romantic Warrior.

The victory saw Romantic Warrior rewrite Hong Kong racing history when winning the FWD QEll Cup for the third consecutive year!

Sent out at even money, Romantic Warrior seemed to be struggling from the moment the barriers opened (he drew barrier 10).

There was not much speed on, and he was forced to go back and around the 600 metres mark he looked like he lost his rhythm and composure on the Sha Tin track that was wet and starting to chop up. He was forced to go wide coming into the turn and seemed to be under pressure as the runner up in the race from 2023, the Japanese runner Prognosis made a run along the rail.

Despite all this McDonald was able to steady and balance him and make a sustained run.

After the race you could sense in McDonald’s voice that this effort was special, saying, “I'm speechless - he's awesome,” an emotional McDonald said.

“He was beaten at the 600m - he just finds a way. It's incredible. I dead-set didn't have one thing go my way. I had ten riders dead-set against me and the horse. I just had no favours. He is incredible.

“There wasn't one part of the race I was happy with, to be honest with you. Going out of the straight the first time, I was deep, but I was in a rhythm but not in a good spot. 1000m from home, I was finally having a rest and one took off and at the 600m, he was off the bridle and struggling in the ground a tad and he just picks up. I'm just in disbelief.”

Danny Shum was effervescent and smiling after the race. He told the media, “Japan will be next, we want to go there, but our first priority is to see how the horse is. When he came in, he seemed a bit tired. It wasn’t an easy run. James said make sure the horse is sound and then we’ll schedule him in.

“He ran a good race, he always tried, and James did a good job. We all love this horse. He always tries his best. Today, no horses could lock him in - he just wouldn't stop trying. James rode a good race not to rush him, keep him balanced and keep all his momentum.”

The next assignment for Romantic Warrior will be in Japan in the Group 1 Yasuda Kinen, 1600 metres at Tokyo Racecourse on June 2 this will be the end-of-season goal for the six-year-old.

On a day where it was anticipated that the previous Group 1 events would be won by the favourites the locals were a little apprehensive.

Then the new heir apparent to the Hong Kong throne for their champion horse stood up in challenging circumstances to win and take his career record to 14 wins from 19 starts and an overwhelming HK$142.6 million in career earnings.

Romantic Warrior will go past the HK$166 million that Golden Sixty has won in his career at some stage and become the highest earning racehorse in Hong Kong racing history.

I have seen some great dour wins on a racecourse, but what an amazing ride from James McDonald, and what a racehorse that we are watching currently!

I think the effort and the win is best summed up by McDonald, “He brings a tear to my eye, how good he is. I’m speechless”.

I think that is all that needs to be said.

More articles