FWD QEII Cup (Group 1)

IT looked a high-class field for the 10-furlong Group 1 with Masquerade Ball from Japan and Sosie from France, but the outcome was never in doubt as Romantic Warrior surged to his 14th Group 1 triumph, boosted his world-record earnings to HK$271.46 million (over £22 million) and improved his career record to 23 wins from 30 starts for trainer Danny Shum and owner Peter Lau.

James McDonald partnered the winner to a fourth victory in the FWD QEII Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday to confirm his standing as still one of the world’s premier middle-distance stars, calling the Irish-bred eight-year-old “bullet proof”. Romantic Warrior has won 14 of 15 starts over 10 furlongs at Sha Tin.

Romantic Warrior enjoyed a trouble-free run and, after the pace quickened from three out, the veteran accelerated to take the lead and won by a length from Masquerade Ball, who made late progress with Sosie a half-length further away.

“It’s just an honour to be riding a horse like him,” McDonald said. “It makes a jockey’s life so easy. He makes things happen which other horses don’t and that’s why he has got the record that he has got.

“I thought the opposition today was very warranted, and had great respect for it and was actually quite worried about it with that Masquerade Ball. I thought he was incredible, and he is one of the best in Japan.

“He just looked so unbelievably well, and he is so relaxed. In Dubai and Saudi, he was really worked up, and even in his work, he was worked up. It’s a dream come true and he is a dream come true and I pinch myself every time I hop on him.”

Plenty to do

It did appear to some that Christophe Lemaire left Masquerade Ball with plenty to do over the 10 furlongs, his fine Japan Cup second being over 12 furlongs.

Lemaire said afterwards: “The pace wasn’t that strong, but he showed a great turn of foot in the last 200 to 300 metres. I think he’ll keep improving going forward.” This was his first run since that November 30th contest.

Winning trainer Shum said: “I’m thankful I have Romantic Warrior, and Romantic Warrior is also thankful for me. He’s a super, super champion.”

Romantic Warrior’s 16 victories include Group 1 triumphs in Australia (Cox Plate), Japan (Yasuda Kinen) and Dubai (Jebel Hatta).

Maxime Guyon said of the third-placed Sosie: “We had a perfect race. Just the two horses in front of me were really good. He can improve after this run and he can win a Group 1 this year again.”

Of Karl Burke’s Royal Champion who was two and three-quarter lengths back in fourth, Oisin Murphy said: “Big run, obviously hot field. He did everything nicely.”

Chairman’s Sprint Prize (Group 1)

KA Ying Rising confirmed his status as the world’s best horse with a record-breaking victory in the HK$24 million Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize over six furlongs to crown a flawless season, sealing the Hong Kong Speed Series and extending his winning streak to 20. He has broken the Sha Tin track record in each of his last two runs and ran the last two furlongs in 21.52 seconds.

Zac Purton sent the world’s highest-rated horse to go before the furlong marker and they left Japanese Group 1 winner Satono Reve and the rest of the field behind, winning without being hard ridden, by four and a quarter lengths from Satono Reve.

Comanche Brave finished fifth of the eight for Oisin Murphy and Donnacha O’Brien, the rider saying: “He’s run a career best behind an incredible winner. But the horse is improving.”

Purton said: “When I let him go, he quickened, but he did take a couple of strides to balance up a little, but once he quickened, he quickened extremely well.”

Trainer David Hayes said: “A long time ago, I thought he might have been the best horse I trained, and about a year ago I thought he was definitely the best horse I trained, and now I think he is one of the best horses I have ever seen.”

Hayes said Ka Ying Rising would get a break before defending his title in the Group 1 The Everest in Sydney in October.

The performance earned him a Timeform rating of 137 marking him the top sprinter this century and one of the best in the organisation’s history. Black Caviar and Battaash were both 136.

FWD Champions Mile (Group 1)

TRAINER Mark Newnham celebrated a Group 1 breakthrough in Hong Kong as stable star My Wish took the Group 1 FWD Champions Mile. Japan’s Jantar Mantar disappointed for the second time on Hong Kong soil, trailing in 13 of the 14. Hitting the front at the furlong mark, My Wish held off Cap Ferrat with British raider Docklands running well in third. Hugh Bowman said: “It was no surprise to us - he’s done it before, and I’m very proud to see him do it at this level.”

Newnham added: “His work here last Saturday morning was exceptional. My Wish has taken a season and a bit to win his Group 1, but I think the way he’s going now, that I don’t think we’ve seen the last of it.” Mark Zahra said of the Harry Eustace-trained Docklands: “He ran super. He got the split at the right time, and credit to him for running third.”

Reporting by Daryl Timms, Leo Schlink and Declan Schuster