Slight change to Romantic Warrior's travel plans no concern ahead of Saudi Cup

South China Morning Post

06-02-2025

Ten-time Group One winner flies to Riyadh three days later than originally scheduled in preparation for world's richest race
by Jay Rooney on Thursday, February 6, 2025 1:36 PM Romantic Warrior wins the Group One Jebel Hatta (1,800m) at Meydan on January 24. Photos: Alex Evers/HKJC
A later arrival to Saudi Arabia than first planned won't hinder Danny Shum Chap-shing's plans for Romantic Warrior as the Hong Kong superstar prepares for his assault on the world's richest race.
Shum had booked Romantic Warrior on a flight from Dubai on Friday, but the 10-time Group One winner will now make the short trip to Riyadh on Monday ahead of his next target, the US$20 million Group One Saudi Cup (1,800m) on February 22.
'He'll travel on the 10th, it was the only flight I could choose,' Shum said.
'He'll still be OK. I leave on the 8th to head across. The horse is going well.'
Romantic Warrior added Group One glory in the United Arab Emirates to his glittering global CV with a record-breaking triumph in the Jebel Hatta (1,800m) at Meydan on January 24.
However, the winner of a world record HK$179.66 million in prize money faces a new challenge when he races on the dirt for the first time in the Saudi Cup.
Shum will consider applying a special pair of 'grip shoes', which are banned in Hong Kong, to help his stable star's transition to the dirt.
'I'll see how [Romantic Warrior's travelling companion] Romantic Charm goes in them in the morning on the 12th or 13th [of February] and then decide,' Shum said.
'I was not allowed to do it here in Hong Kong so I have to try them on Romantic Charm, I have got no option. Even in a 400m jumpout without any other horses, [the Jockey Club] said no.'
Last year's Group One Dubai World Cup (2,000m) winner Laurel River, who was recently crowned the world's joint-best horse, French star Facteur Cheval and Japan's Forever Young will be among Romantic Warrior's rivals in the Saudi Cup.
He will then finish his Middle Eastern campaign in either the Dubai World Cup or Group One Dubai Turf (1,800m) in April.
Before turning his focus to Romantic Warrior, Shum will bid to extend his lead in the trainers' championship with five runners at Sha Tin on Sunday. — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 26, 2025
The headline act is Gorgeous Win, who chases back-to-back victories when he contests the feature of the day, the Class One TVB Cup (1,200m).
The consistent galloper broke through for his second success this term when he stormed home under Zac Purton to claim the Class Two Para Equestrian Handicap (1,200m) last start.
In his first test at Class One level, Gorgeous Win clashes with Group Three winner Taj Dragon, the in-form Raging Blizzard, Copartner Prance, Group One placegetter Lucky With You, Magic Control, Son Pak Fu and Harmony N Blessed.
'It looks a hard race and it's hard to tell how he will go,' Shum said.
'But he's maintained his form.'
With Purton set to ride Francis Lui Kin-wai's Copartner Prance, Vincent Ho Chak-yiu hops aboard Gorgeous Win for the first time.
The son of Press Statement jumps from barrier two and drops six pounds on his last-start triumph to carry 123 on Sunday.
Blazing Wind is another last-start winner for Shum bidding for consecutive wins, with the Deep Field gelding rising to Class Three level for the first time in Sunday's TVB Heroes In White Handicap (1,200m).
Blazing Wind broke through for his first win at start eight when narrowly scoring under James McDonald at Sha Tin on January 19.
He takes on stronger opposition headlined by Chris So Wai-yin's Hong Lok Golf, who is unbeaten from two starts, and Triumphant More, a winner at two of three starts for Frankie Lor Fu-chuen.
Mr Justice, Allcash and Mr Vigor are the other Sha Tin starters for Shum, who leads the race for the trainers' title on 29 wins this season.