Romantic Warrior, a superstar from Hong Kong, is in exceptional form as he prepares for the US$20 million (AU$31.5 million) Group 1 Saudi Cup on Saturday, marking Hong Kong’s first entry in the prestigious race.
James McDonald, who rides the ten-time Group 1 winner, believes his star horse is at the top of his game. “Every time I sit on him, I feel like he’s unbeatable,” McDonald said after the seven-year-old drew barrier three for the 1800-metre race.
The main question is whether Romantic Warrior will handle the dirt track, with his last start a turf win in the Group 1 Jebel Hatta in Dubai. “He trains on dirt in Hong Kong, but this race condition is different,” McDonald said, adding, “He’s moving well, and I think his wellbeing is perfect.”
McDonald also expressed confidence in the ambitions of his trainers, Danny Shum and Peter Lau, saying, “He’s never shied away from a big task.”
Romantic Warrior’s main rivals include Japanese horses Ushba Tesoro, who drew the inside gate, and Forever Young, who drew the outside gate 14. Forever Young’s trainer, Yoshito Yahagi, is aiming to keep a perfect record in Saudi Arabia, having won all four previous starts there, including the 2023 Saudi Cup victory with Panthalasa.