![Romantic Warrior cruises in a 1700m trial at Happy Valley [HKJC]](https://betsy.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/20250927-HV-Batch1-ROMANTIC-WARRIOR-JCX_6919-scaled.jpg)
Romantic Warrior took a significant step towards a high-level return to racing when Hong Kong’s global champion breezed through a 1700m barrier trial at Happy Valley this morning (27 September).
Ridden by Hugh Bowman in the absence of regular jockey James McDonald, Romantic Warrior pleased trainer Danny Shum ahead of a tilt at a record-extending fourth HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on 14 December and a second attempt at the G1 Saudi Cup (1800m, dirt) in Riyadh in February.
Sidelined after undergoing fetlock surgery on his left foreleg in May, the 10-time Group 1 victor settled at the tail of the eight-horse field before closing impressively under little pressure to finish fourth behind Awesome Fluke (Andrea Atzeni) in 1m 48.51s.
Shum plans to start Romantic Warrior in the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on 23 November – a race Romantic Warrior won in 2022 and 2024.
“I’m very happy with him. Hugh said the horse was a little bit (eager) early but from the 1000m, he was very relaxed,” Shum said.
“We want to do another trial or a gallop on the turf (before he races). The plan is on the 2000m (BOCHK Jockey Club Cup), then to December (LONGINES Hong Kong Cup) and then to the Saudi Cup – that’s the plan.”
“He had surgery five months ago and he’s okay. He’s been galloping well, trotting well, eating well. I’m very happy with him.”
With world record earnings of HK$214.70 million, Romantic Warrior has not raced since a gallant second to Japan’s Soul Rush in the G1 Dubai Turf (1800m), having suffered narrow defeat to Forever Young in the G1 Saudi Cup (1800m, dirt) in February.
Bowman was satisfied with Romantic Warrior’s trial performance today, having also trialled the Hong Kong International Sale graduate last season for Shum.
“He’s great. He was bubbly prior to the jump. He came out with a fair bit of purpose but I relaxed him at the back,” Bowman said. “He wanted to get on with it, he was a bit keen the first quarter (400m), but from the 1000 metres, he settled into a really good rhythm and dropped the bridle.”
“I just let him work up within himself, the last 400m, and I think it was pretty obvious to see how well he was going.”
“Danny was keen not to do too much with him today because he’s had a fair time off, so we just relaxed him and let him do his work. He had a good blow afterwards so that will improve him from a fitness perspective.”
“He’s in good shape. His action is really good.”
Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday (28 September) with an 11-race card, starting with the Class 5 Tropicbird Handicap (1200, dirt) at 12.45pm.
