Romantic Warrior makes history with third straight Hong Kong Cup win

Romantic Warrior further cemented himself as one of the best horses of his generation by becoming the first ever thoroughbred to win three Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Cups. Not only has the six-year-old won three, he won them consecutively.

In his most recent victory on Sunday, the Hong Kong-based champion defeated Japanese horse Liberty Island by one and a half lengths. Tastiera finished third, two and a quarter lengths behind the winner.

Romantic Warrior makes history

Given his Hong Kong Cup record, Romantic Warrior was a giant favourite at the betting sites to win the HK$25,000,000 race.

He led the odds list with $1.28 chances to win. Mitsumasa Nakauchida’s Liberty Island was listed at a distant second with $6 odds, followed by Tastiera at $8.50. No other horse had odds to win lower than $35.

Romantic Warrior lived up to the betting apps odds with an almost effortless victory. The son of Folk Melody entered the final stretch in fourth. From there though, the nine-time Group 1 winner made things look routine.

While other horses laboured in the final 400m, Romantic Warrior strolled his way into the record books.

James McDonald stays on top

Jockey James McDonald called Romantic Warrior “the perfect racehorse” ahead of the race. The gelding lived up to his billing, but so did McDonald.

Just a day earlier, the New Zealander was awarded his second Longines World's Best Jockey Award by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

McDonald showed he deserved this trophy on Sunday, racing in four Group 1 races. The jockey won two of his four starts, including the Hong Kong Cup with Romantic Warrior.

Antino disappoints in other race

Besides watching Romantic Warrior on Sunday, we and other Australian horse racing fans were keeping a close eye on Tony Gollan’s Antino, who made his Sha Tin debut on Sunday in the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile.

Before the race, Gollan spoke at length about how excited he was for his gelding and for the opportunity to race in Hong Kong.

“I always dreamed that maybe, one day, I’d have this race up here in Hong Kong and be a part of this week,” he said.

“This is something else over here, having a runner here on the world stage and that’s probably what’s hitting me most this week is just how big a meeting this is worldwide.

“I’m just excited to show Antino to the world on Sunday.”

Unfortunately for Gollan, it was not to be for Antino. The six-year-old finished 11th out of 14 runners, six lengths behind James McDonald and Voyage Bubble, who finished first.