Stewards’ Cup (Group 1)
Centenary Sprint Cup (Group 1)
ROMANTIC Warrior claimed a first victory in the HK$13 million Group 1 Stewards’ Cup in scintillating style at Sha Tin last Sunday and is on course for a bid for the Hong Kong Triple Crown.
Taking his 12th Group 1 success, James McDonald eased his mount up alongside early leader Lucky Sweynesse, with defending Stewards’ Cup champion Voyage Bubble racing three wide.
The outcome was never in doubt as McDonald quickly sent Romantic Warrior clear. Lucky Sweynesse kept on to finish second as Romantic Warrior passed the post one and three-quarter lengths clear of the field with Voyage Bubble was further back in third,
Regular partner McDonald said: “His demeanour, his courage, his will to win, it’s just in spades. It’s incredible. I say it every time, but when he steps out, it’s a privilege to ride such a horse of his calibre. He began really well, and I thought it was going to be pretty smoothly run.”
Romantic Warrior has now won 21 of his 28 starts. The Irish-bred Acclamation gelding has now over £25 million in his prize bank.
After campaigning overseas for much of the 2024/25 season, connections switched their focus to domestic contests in 2025/26, and the bid to match Voyage Bubble and River Verdon’s feats in becoming the only horses to sweep the Triple Crown.
The next race is back at Romantic Warrior’s favoured trip in the HK$13 million Group 1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup on March 1st before the HK$13 million Group 1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup completes the Triple Crown in May.
“I’m so proud of Romantic Warrior,” said trainer Danny Shum, “he can handle 1,600, 2,000m, even 2400 (metres) – he can handle any distance. We all know 2,000 is his best trip, so no problem there. I’ll just keep him happy, keep him healthy – it’s a very easy job for me.”
Ka Ying has the zing
World’s top sprinter Ka Ying Rising made Hong Kong racing history with a record-equalling win in the Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup.
Ka Ying Rising recorded a 17th consecutive victory to match the winning streak of Silent Witness from 2002 to 2005.
Celebrating his fourth win in the race, jockey Zac Purton said: “What can I say? We’ve said it all with the horse. I just had to make sure my bloke was in a rhythm. I’m surprised he run the time he ran because it didn’t feel like he ran that quick sort of mid-early in the race. Yeah, he is just different class.
“I never thought I would see it (a record-equalling 17th win in a row), to be honest. It’s very, very rare what Silent Witness did and what Ka Ying has been able to do so far – and let’s hope he can keep going on with it.”
Trainer David Hayes believes the world’s best sprinter could break Sha Tin’s seven-furlong course record next month when he contests the HK$13 million Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup on February 22nd.
Hayes said. “I think he will handle the 1,400m beautifully. I’m really excited for the next race. It’s another dimension for him.
“Last year, he nearly broke the course record at 1,400m, and I think if the conditions are right, he can go close again.”
Ka Ying Rising clocked just outside his six-furlong Sha Tin turf track record after being allowed to coast to the line in defeating Helios Express by a length and a quarter with Fast Network a further two lengths back
“The winning margin wasn’t probably the greatest, but it’s probably the most Zac has ever eased him down,” Hayes said.
“It’s pretty nice when you look at the big screen and you’re a long way in front, I can tell you. A race is a race. You’ve still got to go out and do it and hopefully he can hold his form, which we will expect he will.”
Reporting: Leo Schlink/Paul Ryding