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

By Graham Potter | 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" Read more ...

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

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