‘Forget the rest, he’s the best’
James McDonald in awe again over incredible Romantic Warrior after second Hong Kong Cup victory
It was yet another day to remember for James McDonald as he stole the show at Sunday’s Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) at Sha Tin, scoring a double during the premier four-race event, including a second Hong Kong Cup (Gr 1, 2000m) win aboard the all conquering Romantic Warrior (Acclamation).
The Danny Shum-trained son of Acclamation (Royal Applause) has taken the world by storm since landing the 2023 Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m), winning each of his five starts since that success in The Valley’s marquee event, with Sunday’s win taking his tally to seven wins on the bounce.
Sent off at prohibitive odds with expectations high, Romantic Warrior started well from his inside barrier before being settled back to fourth by his confident rider.
Looming up three-wide entering the home straight, McDonald sent his mount to the front with just over 200 metres left to race and the six-year-old gelding found willingly under pressure to beat the fast-finishing Liberty Island (Duramente) by a comfortable length and a half, with McDonald saluting the crowd when he passed the winning post.
There was a further length and a quarter back to Tastiera (Satono Crown) in third place.
“That was unbelievable, I’m so proud of this horse,” said McDonald. “He’s just been remarkable and it’s some effort by Danny [Shum, trainer] and his team.
“The Japanese [horses] put it to him but with no luck. He’s the best, forget the rest, he’s the best. He’s been flying and anyone could ride him because he’s that easy but I’m the lucky one. He’s the horse of a lifetime. This was our moment to create history and it felt like I was lining up for the winning kick for the All Blacks. It was a ‘pinch-me’ moment.”
Shum said: “He was confident and full of energy. I stayed in the stables the whole time, I didn’t want to go out to talk too much. I work hard, I love my team and my team has done a great job.”
This latest achievement in an unbeaten streak lasting longer than a year sees him move past another Hong Kong great, Golden Sixty (Medaglia D’Oro), as the biggest money-earner in racing history.
Next February, another enormous date is circled in his diary with a crack on the dirt for the lucrative Saudi Cup (Gr 1, 1800m).
“He’s the best, but I have to take another bigger challenge to go to Dubai and Saudi Arabia, just because I haven’t been to Dubai for 25 years,” said Shum.
“At that time, I was assistant trainer for Mr Ivan Allan, I had a new experience. I will make sure the team that go there are in the best form.
“The owner Mr Peter Lau said it’s a once in a life chance to take the challenge in Saudi Arabia for the top prize-money in the world. We are experimenting with dirt but I’ve tried him in an all-weather trial with a pacifier and he was quite good.”