Record-breaking Romantic Warrior primed and ready to make more history at Meydan
A red-hot favourite to become the city's first winner of the Group One Dubai Turf (1,800m), Romantic Warrior can secure a Hong Kong record 11th elite-level success in the US$5 million (HK$39 million) contest, breaking his deadlock with the great Golden Sixty.
Victory for Hong Kong's most decorated galloper would see him snare a fourth Group One triumph abroad and add around HK$22.5 million to his current world record HK$206,931,497 in career stakes.
Ready to turn up the heat on Danny Shum Chap-shing's Romantic Warrior are not only reigning Dubai Turf champion Facteur Cheval, Godolphin's Nations Pride and star Japanese pair Soul Rush and Liberty Island, but also the scorching Dubai weather, with Saturday's meeting delayed an hour due to high temperatures.
'Obviously he copes with [the heat] pretty well, so that's no concern,' said jockey James McDonald.
'He certainly enjoys the firm surface we're likely to get on the hot day and he copes with everything pretty well. He's got round this track beautifully,' added McDonald in reference to Romantic Warrior's Group One Jebel Hatta (1,800m) victory in track-record time at Meydan in January.
Since that Jebel Hatta blitz, Romantic Warrior produced one of the biggest efforts of his career when a heartbreaking second in the Group One Saudi Cup (1,800m) on the dirt – something connections are confident he's fully recovered from.
'It's like he knows when the race is coming up – he's really sparked up since James jumped on his back for his turf gallop on Tuesday,' said equine physiotherapist Tom Simpson, who has worked with Romantic Warrior for much of his remarkable journey.
Elsewhere on Dubai World Cup night, John Size will chase his first winner overseas at his 14th attempt when Howdeepisyourlove lines up in the Group One Al Quoz Sprint (1,200m) down the Meydan straight.
Also to be ridden by McDonald, Howdeepisyourlove is a $3.2 favourite in fixed-odds markets and will look to join Joy And Fun (2010), Amber Sky (2014) and California Spangle (2024) as Hong Kong-trained winners of the race.
'I would love to win a race overseas. We just keep trying,' said 12-time Hong Kong champion trainer Size.
Rounding out Hong Kong's Meydan assault is the Frankie Lor Fu-chuen-trained Sword Point, who tackles the Group Two Godolphin Mile on the dirt.
Like Size, Lor is hoping to taste success overseas for the first time and he is confident his all-weather specialist is ready to produce his best on the world stage.
'It's a great sign that he hasn't turned a hair since arriving even though this is his first time travelling to race overseas,' said Lor of Sword Point, who also has the services of star Kiwi McDonald.
'Some horses might be scared and some horses don't eat up well but he's doing well in every aspect.
'If he wins, it would be the best result. I think for every trainer sending a horse to race overseas, they would want to win, doing Hong Kong proud.'
Elsewhere on a bumper World Cup card, the horse who humbled Romantic Warrior in the Saudi Cup – Forever Young – is a short favourite for the US$12 million Group One Dubai World Cup (2,000m) on dirt, while the Group One Dubai Sheema Classic (2,410m) is brimming with stars.
Reigning Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) victor Rebel's Romance is among the leading hopes, but he is sure to face stiff competition from December's Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) champion Giavellotto and the likes of Calandagan, Shin Emperor and Danon Decile.
The Jockey Club will simulcast seven races from Meydan on Saturday night, while during the day six races will be offered for betting from Randwick in Sydney, where Hong Kong-based jockeys Zac Purton, Hugh Bowman and Andrea Atzeni will chase Group One glory.
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