Dylan Browne McMonagle will not be worrying about Romantic Warrior and will be riding his own race when Galen looks to upset the odds in the Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.

The Irish champion jockey will begin a short-term contract in Hong Kong from January 1 but will get a sighter on Sunday when he rides Galen in the Cup and Al Riffa in the Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m).

McMonagle has already got himself acquainted with his new surroundings and is expecting a competitive and harsh introduction to life in Hong Kong.

“You’ll walk the track wherever you go – you’ve got to walk where you’re running and if there’s any advantages that’s on you to find out,” said McMonagle.

“Those advantages always help but on a track like this it’s very fair everywhere so I don’t have to worry about that too much.

“It’s very straightforward here, the rules are strict and everyone is very professional. Everyone who rides here is at the top of their level. It’s going to be very competitive this weekend and there won’t be anyone giving any ground.”

McMonagle will be reunited with Group One winner Al Riffa in the Hong Kong Vase after watching him finish seventh in the Group One Melbourne Cup (3,200m) under Mark Zahra.

“He’s got a lot of class, he’s straightforward in every way and is a lovely and relaxed horse. He responds well to pressure and you can put him wherever you want in the race, it doesn’t matter how it sets up,” said McMonagle.

McMonagle will also have the difficult task of facing Romantic Warrior in a seven-runner Hong Kong Cup aboard Group Two Bahrain Trophy (2,000m) runner-up Galen, but the 22-year-old is worrying only about what he can do to give Galen the best possible chance.

“He took a nice step forward the last day in Bahrain – it was probably his career best run. I think he likes the track and he likes fast ground, so we’ll see if he can put in another career best here and run a big race,” said McMonagle.

“Romantic Warrior will probably be behind us during the race so I won’t worry about him too much. I just have to focus on my own horse and ride my horse to the best of my ability.”