James McDonald and Danny Shum Chap-shing are optimistic Romantic Warrior will handle his first test on dirt as Hong Kong’s champion galloper bids for another slice of history in the world’s richest race, the US$20 million Saudi Cup (1,800m).
Run at 1.40am Hong Kong time on Sunday morning, the Group One feature represents a new challenge for Romantic Warrior as he heads into unknown territory racing on a dirt track for the first time.
Many greats of the turf have failed on dirt surfaces, but superstar jockey McDonald maintains full confidence in Romantic Warrior after riding the 10-time Group One victor in trackwork at King Abdulaziz Racecourse this week.
“He’s worked on the dirt and obviously that’s the big question mark and we won’t know until race day,” McDonald said.
Good morning, Romantic Warrior! 💙 @WorldPool | @TheSaudiCup pic.twitter.com/9U8PEuatGk
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 20, 2025
“I’ve got a feeling that he will be successful on the dirt. He’s just a very good racehorse, so he’ll adapt well. The main thing is that his well-being is spot on. He looks great and he feels great, so we can’t do any more.
“I haven’t ridden on too many dirt tracks so I can’t really compare too many, but he seemed to handle it OK. It’s a real powdery sort of track and the kickback was there but it wasn’t coarse or anything.”
The winner of a world record HK$179.66 million in prize money, Romantic Warrior is fresh from a four-and-a-half-length victory in track-record time in the Group One Jebel Hatta (1,800m) in Dubai last start.
The globetrotting galloper, who has also won Group Ones in Hong Kong, Australia and Japan, will be the city’s first horse to race in Saudi Arabia.
Romantic Warrior draws gate 3 in The Saudi Cup barrier draw this evening. #TheSaudiCup pic.twitter.com/u9r76HzVLO
— The Saudi Cup (@TheSaudiCup) February 19, 2025
Shum has left no stone unturned in search of Saudi Cup glory, applying special “grip shoes” designed to help Romantic Warrior handle the dirt while also enlisting the services of renowned Australian horse physio, Tom Simpson.
“It’s a great opportunity to be here and run in the most valuable race in the world. It’s a great honour for Hong Kong and my stable and we really appreciate it,” Shum said.
“You never know until you’re past the winning post, but he’s very fit and physically he’s the best he’s been in his career.
“I’m confident he’ll handle the dirt, but I don’t know whether he’ll handle the kickback.”
Shum was also pleased when Romantic Warrior drew barrier three in the 14-horse field.
Romantic Warrior wins the Jebel Hatta.
A 19th career victory at the weekend will elevate Romantic Warrior to a new level of greatness as Hong Kong’s most successful Group One winner of all time. He currently shares that title with the retired Golden Sixty.
Japan’s Forever Young is expected to be his biggest threat despite drawing wide in barrier 14. He boasts an exceptional dirt record including wins in the Group One Tokyo Daishoten (2,000m) last start and last year’s Group Three Saudi Derby (1,600m).
The Saudi Cup is one of seven races at King Abdulaziz Racecourse to be simulcast by the Jockey Club.
Five races from Caulfield, headlined by the Group One Futurity Stakes (1,400m), will also be beamed live for betting on Saturday.
