Romantic Warrior's season likely to end after Dubai Turf, confirms Danny Shum

South China Morning Post

09-03-2025

Romantic Warrior's 2024-25 season is likely to end after his run in the Group One Dubai Turf (1,800m) on April 5, Danny Shum Chap-shing confirmed at Sha Tin on Sunday.
While a change in quarantine protocols between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia means Romantic Warrior could chase a fourth straight win in the Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) on April 27, and a defence of his Group One Yasuda Kinen (1,600m) crown in Japan in June has long been considered by connections, Shum told the Post he and owner Peter Lau Pak-fai are leaning towards giving their champion a spell after his run on Dubai World Cup night.
'I'm not 100 per cent sure but I can quite confidently tell you that after April 5 we will quarantine in Dubai and then come back to Hong Kong and stop racing until next season,' Shum said.
'The Dubai Turf will be his last run of the season because it is too tricky otherwise.
'I've talked to the owner and we think we are better off giving him a break and waiting for next season.
'Going straight to Japan is too hard for him – Peter and I agree that it's too hard for him after a few months in Dubai and the travel to Saudi.'
After wins in December's Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) and January's Group One Jebel Hatta (1,800m) at Meydan followed by a brave second in February's Group One Saudi Cup (1,800m) on dirt, Romantic Warrior will chase a third elite-level success for the season in the Dubai Turf.
Shum expects to then turn his attention to preparing the world's highest-earning racehorse for a tilt at a fourth consecutive win in the Hong Kong Cup before a potential return to the Saudi Cup.
The quarantine changes do open the door for other gallopers who raced on Saudi Cup night to compete on April 27's Champions Day at Sha Tin, for which the free entries close on March 17.
Wong and Hall taste long-awaited success
Britney Wong Po-ni enjoyed a number of firsts at Sha Tin on Sunday, snaring her maiden Hong Kong brace while also tasting success for her boss, David Hall, for the first time.
The 10-pound claimer also jumped into top position in Hong Kong's unofficial all-weather premiership, moving to seven dirt wins in her debut season with victories aboard Natural High for Hall in the Class Four Nga Tsin Wai Handicap (1,200m) and Manfred Man Ka-leung's Self Improvement in the Class Three Sa Po Handicap (1,200m).
'It's great. I had two doubles when I was in Australia but they were both non-TAB meetings, so this feels fantastic,' said Wong.
'Whether it's turf or dirt, I'll go for it and it's good that I have one [surface] that works in a particular way, so I'm very happy.'
Wong got away with an easy first section in the lead aboard Natural High before putting the foot down at the right time to surge to a three-and-a-quarter-length victory.
'It's taken a bit longer than what we would have hoped for, but we know the experience level Britney is at,' Hall said.
'I haven't had as many of those jump-and-run horses that's she been riding a lot of and getting her share of winners.
Natural High runs away with it! Britney Wong lands her 11th win this season at Sha Tin... 🔥#LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/vszdOu9DSv — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 9, 2025
'It was just good that we connected today – we had a third and a second [earlier on the card] and she came out and she said 'we're going to go one better this time boss' and she did.'
Man was the only trainer to end the afternoon with a double, closing out the card with the victory of Patch Of Cosmo in the Class Three Tak Ku Ling Handicap (1,600m).
Lucky With You makes it two
Frankie Lor Fu-chuen's Lucky With You is looking at a return to Group company after snaring his second consecutive Class One success in Sunday's Kowloon City Handicap (1,200m).
After settling one-off in midfield under Luke Ferraris, Lucky With You powered home to salute by a length and a half at the juicy odds of $8.95.
'Last time he came back to Class One and it was a lot easier for him. This race was a similar field, but he drew seven and [Invincible Sage] was also dropping down to Class One. But my horse held his form,' said Lor of Lucky With You, who has twice run second at Group One level but has failed to fire against the best this season.
'I was a little bit worried on Thursday and Friday when it was raining because he doesn't like rain. But yesterday was OK and today was OK.
Two rides, two wins! 🔥@LukeFerraris maintains his unbeaten record aboard Lucky With You as Frankie Lor's sprinter powers off with the Class 1 dash at Sha Tin... @FCLOR_RACING #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/IGbbyeEmRV — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 9, 2025
'I'm still thinking [where he goes next] because he will go up to 115 or 116 [in the ratings].
'We need to look at the [Group Two Sprint Cup (1,200m) on March 30] and then the next is [April's Group One Chairman's Sprint Prize (1,200m)]. If he pulls up well and is eating well, then maybe he will run at the end of the month.'
Ferraris consolidated his spot in the top four of the jockeys' premiership, moving to 30 winners for the campaign with his second straight win aboard Lucky With You.
'I sat back on him, pulled him out at the 400m and coasted up to them at the furlong, let him go and put them to bed,' said the South African jockey.