Claiming that Romantic Warrior is in the best form of his career might seem surprising, given the incredible heights he has already reached. However, champion jockey James McDonald firmly believes his star galloper is peaking at the perfect time ahead of the world’s richest race on Saturday.
Romantic Warrior is set to become Hong Kong’s first-ever runner in Saudi Arabia, heading into the US$20 million (AU$31.5 million) Group 1 Saudi Cup as the red-hot favourite. A win would see him join an illustrious honour roll featuring champions from the USA, Japan, and Great Britain.
“Every time I sit on him I feel like he’s unbeatable,” McDonald said after the ten-time Group 1 winner secured barrier three for the 1800-metre feature.
“It is a special thing to experience.”
The biggest unknown remains whether the seven-year-old can handle racing on dirt for the first time, a question that has lingered throughout his Saudi Cup preparation. His most recent win came on the turf in Dubai’s Group 1 Jebel Hatta (1800m) on January 24.
“He’ll be fine, but until the kick-back happens, we won’t know,” McDonald admitted.
“He trains on dirt every day in Hong Kong, but obviously, race conditions are a little bit different.”
“He’s moving well, and I think his wellbeing is perfect, and that is all we can ask.”
Despite the surface change, McDonald remains confident, pointing to the bold ambitions of connections who continue to test Romantic Warrior at the highest level.
“Danny (Shum) and Peter (Lau) are ambitious, and they’ve got a great horse – a champion horse – and so they should be,” McDonald said.
“He’s never shied away from a big task and has always risen to the challenge.”
“The Cox Plate, Japan, Dubai, and now hopefully Saudi.”
Among his key challengers, Japanese contender Ushba Tesoro has drawn the inside barrier, while Forever Young, trained by Yoshito Yahagi, will start from the widest gate in barrier 14.
Yahagi, who boasts an impeccable record in Saudi Arabia with four wins from four runners, remains unfazed by the wide draw.
“I don’t have any concerns about the gates inside or outside,” Yahagi said.
“But I prefer the outside.”
