Romantic Warrior Triumph's in Cox PLate

Mark Smith - Saturday October 28

In an epic finish to the $5,000,000 Group 1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley, fans were on their feet as Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior (IRE) edged two of Australia’s most popular horses, Mr Brightside and Alligator Blood in a finish that fooled many on course.

Romantic Warrior (outside) gets his nose down (image Reg Ryan/Racing Photos)

Romantic Warrior (outside) gets his nose down (image Reg Ryan/Racing Photos)

Bouncing back from his fourth in the Turnbull Stakes, Romantic Warrior seemed to run his race in patches, but winning rider James McDonald revealed it was part of his plan, which was decided when the judge found a margin of a nose over the gallant Mr Brightside (Bullbars).

The equally courageous Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) was a short-neck back in third.  

A relieved Danny Chum welcomed his champion back to scale.

“First thing, I’d like to thank Moonee Valley Racing Club,” Chum said.

“Second, I want to say I am from China Hong Kong. Hong Kong Jockey Club, there is some team. Thank you very much.

“I don’t know how to tell you how happy I am.

“I want to thank Peter (Lau), the owner, for allowing me to come here. James McDonald, all the team, all the Hong Kong fans, my wife Christine, my son Aaron. I love you! I love you!

“After that (the Turnbull), he was not really ready, but he got better day-by-day.

“I was confident he would run a good race. It is a strong race.

“He overcame all of the challenges and the difficulties. James McDonald gave me a very good report.

Out of the fire (image Racing Victoria)

Out of the fire (image Racing Victoria)

“It has big meaning for me as a trainer. It makes me happy. I’m more happy than I can tell you.”

James McDonald admitted he thought he had been beaten.

“This horse is pretty special to me. I mentioned if he came to a Cox Plate he’d be a suitable horse,” McDonald said.

“I meant what I said and credit to Peter and Danny, it takes a hell of a lot of balls to come out of Hong Kong with all the prizemoney. It is one of the world's best racing jurisdictions, and they come here and showcase their boy.

“I reckon he’s got more to come, too. He’s been bubbling. A significant amount of improvement like I thought he did (would) and he loves the bloody Valley!

“I was comfortable. I knew I was on the right horse I kept going ‘he’s the best horse, he’s the best horse’ so I’d ride him like it.

“I took a gamble about the 1000m or 1200m. We elected to come back a spot and right now I believe that was the winning move. Giving my horse an extra length to come back.

Pure joy (image Reg Ryan/Racing Photos)

Pure joy (image Reg Ryan/Racing Photos)

“I let Alligator Blood out, knowing I can still beat him having last crack.”

The son of Acclamation advances his record to 11 wins and three seconds from 16 starts with earnings the equivalent of $17,955,885.

The 6-year-old gelding was purchased by Mick Kinane on behalf of the Hong Kong Jockey Club for 300,000gns at the 2019 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.

Bred in Ireland by Tim Rooney and David Egan of Corduff Stud, Romantic Warrior was sold at the Hong Kong International Sale to Peter Lau for HK$4.8 million ($814,000).

He is the third foal of the Street Cry (IR) mare Folk Melody, which was an €82,000 purchase for Blandford Bloodstock from the Godolphin draft at the 2016 Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale.

(Read more about the breeding of Romantic Warrior here)

Advertisment

Race Result - Ladbrokes Cox Plate Gr1 2040m

Moonee Valley Track: Good(3) Time: 2:03.16
1
Romantic Warrior
- 6g Acclamation (GB) x Folk Melody (IRE) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: C S Shum Rdr: J B Mc Donald 59
2
0.1
Mr Brightside
- 6g Bullbars (AUS) x Lilahjay (NZ) (Tavistock (NZ))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: Craig Williams 59
3
0.3
Alligator Blood
- 7g All Too Hard (AUS) x Lake Superior (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 59
4
1.3
Duais
- 6m Shamus Award (AUS) x Meerlust (AUS) (Johannesburg (USA))
Tnr: Edward Cummings Rdr: D Oliver 57
5
1.4
Gold Trip
- 7h Outstrip (GB) x Sarvana (FR) (Dubai Destination (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: M Zahra 59
6
1.5
Zaaki
- 9g Leroidesanimaux (BRZ) x Kesara (GB) (Sadler's Wells (USA))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: Damian Lane 59
7
1.6
Fangirl
- 5m Sebring (AUS) x Little Surfer Girl (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Z Purton 57
8
2.4
Militarize
- 3c Dundeel (NZ) x Amerindia (GB) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Zac Lloyd 49.5
9
5.4
Victoria Road
- 4h Saxon Warrior (JPN) x Tickled Pink (IRE) (Invincible Spirit (IRE))
Tnr: A O'Brien Rdr: B Shinn 56.5
10
7.1
My Oberon
- 7g Dubawi (IRE) x My Titania (IRE) (Sea The Stars (IRE))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: J Mott 59
11
7.4
Pinstriped
- 5g Street Boss (USA) x Snitzel Blitz (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: E Jusufovic Rdr: Ben Allen 59
12
10.2
King Colorado
- 3c Kingman (GB) x More Aspen (USA) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: M J Dee 50
More Reading...
Romantic Warrior's History in Hong Kong
Champion Romantic Warrior created some special history when emphatically winning his third Group I Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Japan Salutes a Champion as Romantic Warrior Triumphs in Yasuda Kinen
A lather of sweat before the start, Hong Kong’s favourite son, Romantic Warrior (IRE), added another chapter to his illustrious story with victory in the $3,264,000 Group 1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) at Tokyo on Sunday.
Debut 2YO Winner and New Stakes Horse for Brave Smash
Yarraman Park’s young sire Brave Smash (Jpn) has had a good weekend with a couple of smart juveniles stepping out on debut in Melbourne and in Queensland, while his flagship runner Kimochi is getting ready for her autumn campaign with a trial appearance scheduled for this week.
Sires With Winners - Saturday February 15
Here is the full list of 99 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Romantic Warrior Pulls it Out of the Fire with Record Third Win in G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup
Following the defeats of the superstars Golden Sixty and California Spangle, Romantic Warrior (IRE) sent fans home happy when repelling a strong Japanese challenge to win a record third consecutive Group 1 FWD Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin.
Lady Shenandoah Stunning In Light Fingers Return
Despite being a Group I winner, three-year-old filly Lady Shenandoah has thus far been cast in the shadow of one of her stablemates, however after a stunning autumn return in the Group II Light Fingers Stakes, it is looking like this one is the star attraction.
Dirty Work 2YO Wins Magic Millions Perth 2YO Classic
Widden Stud’s young Written Tycoon stallion Dirty Work is on the board with his first stakes-winner after speedy gelding Do I Feel Lucky captured the $250,000 Magic Millions Perth 2YO Classic RL (1200m) at Pinjarra on Saturday and his half-sister will be offered at MM Perth on Thursday.
Glamour Mares with G1 Credentials - What Are They Worth?
The Group I VRC Lightning Stakes (1000m) was billed as a clash of the super 3YO colts, but as they fizzled under pressure it was the mares that came out on top with the first three horses home all being mares and all owned by partnerships that may in the future look to cash in their fleet footed females, so we through we’d take a closer look at the pedigrees.
Cox Plate Hero Romantic Warrior Breaks Course Record at Meydan
The reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year and winner of the 2023 Cox Plate in Australia, Romantic Warrior (IRE) was invincible last night at Meydan for James McDonald when powering to a scintillating victory in the Group I Jebel Hatta (1800m) in course record time.
Cox Plate Winner Takes G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup
Champion jockey James McDonald was reunited with Irish bred Cox Plate winner Romantic Warrior at Sha Tin on Sunday with the pair combining to win the Group I Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) in an epic battle with Australian bred Deep Field gelding Voyage Bubble.