Romantic Warrior clinches Hong Kong Classic Mile to remain unbeaten
Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) repaid Danny Shum’s eye for talent and owner Peter Lau’s faith with a brilliant win under Karis Teetan in the $12 million (approx. AU$2.2 million) Hong Kong Classic Mile (Listed, 1600m) at Sha Tin yesterday, as the unvanquished Hong Kong International Sale Graduate added further lustre to his increasingly imposing record.
A son of Acclamation (Royal Applause) sourced for the HKJC by former Irish champion jockey Michael Kinane from the 2019 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, Romantic Warrior was bought by Mr Lau for HK$4.8 million last June. Yesterday’s success against quality opponents took the gelding’s earnings to HK$10.4 million (approx. AU$1.9 million) from just five starts.
Teetan fully capitalised on barrier one to sit just off the speed before angling out to overtake California Spangle (Starspangledbanner), who was brave in attempting to lead virtually all of the way from gate 13. The Irishman (Tavistock) was an encouraging third, while Turin Redsun (Dubawi) swept home late in eye-catching fashion to grab fourth.
Shum traced a famous success directly back to the 2021 Hong Kong International Sale.
“First of all, I would like to thank the Hong Kong Jockey Club for putting this horse in the International Sale. Mr Peter Lau, the owner, he trusted me because I really wanted to buy this horse,” the quietly-spoken horseman said.
“This horse is very easy to control and he’s got a big heart. When he hits the front, he likes to win. He’s not a big horse but he’s good enough. He’s happy and he’s healthy, so he performs very well.”
Subject to discussions with Mr Lau, Shum will target the second leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series – the $12 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (Listed, 1800m) on February 27 – as Teetan jubilated after inheriting the ride from Joao Moreira, who opted to partner the eventual 11th, Master Delight (Rubick).
“He’s a lovely horse. He’s actually a really nice horse. He had the draw and I think it helped him,” the Mauritian said.
“I just wanted to follow California Spangle and I knew he would take me into the race but when this horse got the clear run, he really let down and I think he’s got a very bright future.
“Man, the last 100 metres, when he got a clear run, he gave me a really good feel.”
Romantic Warrior has progressed through the rankings with stunning efficiency since debuting on October 20, winning twice at Happy Valley before adding three successive victories at Sha Tin.
Luke Currie made the perfect start to his Hong Kong career with success on his first ride aboard the David Hayes-trained Miracle Victory (Astern) in the Class 4 Tathong Channel Handicap (1200m).
“I spent the first three weeks sitting in quarantine and then the last two days have been a real whirlwind. I haven’t stopped so it’s great to get a winner on the board so soon,” Currie, 40, said.
Currie and compatriot Daniel Moor emerged from three weeks of hotel quarantine on Friday in preparation for today’s races.
Hayes said: “It’s a great start, isn’t it? He put the horse in a great spot. No matter what their reputation is, Hong Kong is a fresh start and they judge you on what you do. So, it’s really good for him (Currie) to showcase his riding and win his first race.
“This horse we had to geld and we’ve waited all year. The owners have been very patient and I think he beat a pretty good field today – he might be a horse to keep following.”
Hayes notched a race-to-race double when Trader (Unencumbered) cruised home under Jerry Chau in the Class 4 Tai Tam Bay Handicap (1200m) on the dirt.
“He’s been racing well all season – I think he’s had three placings and one win. He was good today because I knew that my old horse (Super Axiom) would lead – he’s the fastest horse in Hong Kong – and I told Jerry ‘don’t panic if he’s three lengths in front because he sees a ghost at the last 50 metres’ – and he did,” Hayes said.
Alfred Chan grabbed the finale aboard the Caspar Fownes-trained Kurpany (Mayson) in the Class 2 Aldrich Bay Handicap (1200m) on the dirt, a victory which also gave Fownes a double after his triumph in the Centenary Vase Handicap (Gr 3, 1800m) with Zebrowski (Savabeel) under Matthew Poon.
Alexis Badel ended January as he started the month – with a double – after combining with Benno Yung to land the Class 4 Siu Sai Wan Handicap (1400m) aboard Voyage Star (Guillotine). He later partnered Chris So’s Young Victory (Smart Missile) to victory in the Class 5 Shau Kei Wan Handicap (1400m).
John Size edged to within a win – 42-41 – of Frankie Lor in the trainers’ championship as Joao Moreira extended his lead over Zac Purton – 71-56 – in the jockeys’ contest after Leading Fortune (Siyouni) prevailed in the Class 4 Sai Wan Ho Handicap (1600m).
The 11-time champion trainer continued his successful association with another Brazilian when Vagner Borges delivered on Crossford (Dawn Approach) in the Class 3 Loves Only You Handicap (1600m). Moreira has provided 20 of Size’s wins for season; Borges is responsible for 12.
Runner-up in three of the first five races, Karis Teetan ended an exasperating run with success aboard Majestic Star (I Am Invincible) in the Class 3 Chai Wan Handicap (1200m) for Danny Shum in what turned out to be a portent of greater things to come on the program for both trainer and jockey.
Gold Cup an option for Zebrowski after Centenary Vase triumph
Caspar Fownes is contemplating a Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (Gr 1, 2000m) tilt with Zebrowski (Savabeel) next month after the five-year-old toughed it out to claim yesterday’s Centenary Vase Handicap (Gr 3, 1800m) at Sha Tin.
“He’s stepping up to every task and sometimes you have to throw them in the deep end a little bit, out of their comfort zone rating-wise,” Fownes said.
“If he ran in a Gold Cup he certainly wouldn’t be disgraced – he’d still be a first-four chance in my opinion because he’s such a good stayer. Most importantly, we will see how he pulls up because he’s a ‘jointy’ horse, he has his issues.”
Group 1-placed in the 2020 Australian Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) at Randwick, Zebrowski has made a swift acclimatisation to Hong Kong. He’s now a dual Group 3 winner from only eight starts in town after claiming the January Cup Handicap (Gr 3, 1800m) at Happy Valley earlier this month.
“Conghua certainly helps in preparation for his races so he’ll be going back there next week and then obviously if I’m happy with how he is, we’ll bring him back for the Gold Cup,” Fownes said.
The Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup forms a Group 1 double-header at Sha Tin on February 20 alongside the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (Gr 1, 1400m).
Breaking cleanly from gate three under jockey Matthew Poon in the $3.7 million (approx. AU$680,000) contest, Zebrowski settled third in the run before courageously denying Butterfield (Setembro Chove) and Savvy Nine (Anodin) in a nail-biting finish.
“He’s a tough bugger and it was a tough win. He’s improved – he keeps getting better. You can imagine him when he gets over further, he’ll be so much better because he’ll just keep on running – it’s exciting,” Fownes said.
“I said ‘look, it’s most important to jump well, you’ve got no weight’. The two leaders were going to be Ka Ying Star and Reliable Team, as it turned out, and I said ‘make sure you have him up there, he’s tough and he just keeps fighting’.
“I’m happy for the kid, you give him the opportunity and he’s got the job done,” Fownes said.
Getting the leg-up on the bay for the first time, Poon was equally pleased with his mount’s plucky performance.
“Big thanks to Caspar for giving me the ride. He was very tough, I thought he was going to stop but he fought back and I think he’s progressive – I think he can handle further as well,” Poon said.
The win was Poon’s second Centenary Vase in succession after Glorious Dragon’s (Teofilo) victory last year.
“I drew a good draw. We knew we had two horses who would lead so Caspar called me this morning and just said to sit third or fourth. We did the plan and travelled nice in behind the pace and he just had the perfect run and carried a light weight,” Poon said.
The win was Poon’s 17th this season.
“I feel like he can handle a bit further as well and today he did a really good job with a light weight against some nice horses,” the 28-year-old said.
Fownes was pleased with the effort of stablemate Columbus County (Redwood), who finished an interrupted sixth under Vincent Ho.
“I’m very happy – he sort of got impeded at the 150 (metre mark), ran out of room, but he was strong through the line and he ran the way I wanted him to run,” Fownes said.
“He’s on target to be very competitive in the Gold Cup, and certainly in the Champions & Chater Cup will be where he’ll be at his best.”
Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin this Thursday with the running of the Class 1 Chinese New Year Cup Handicap (1400m).