Saudi Cup Represents Romantic Warrior’s Solo Dirt Outing, Says Shum

Hong Kong Hero Arrives in Riyadh Ahead of Unique Career Challenge

Image: Romantic Warrior will make a first career start on dirt in The Saudi Cup. Credit Hong Kong Jockey Club

Romantic Warrior (IRE) is likely to get one lifetime shot on dirt, his trainer Danny Shum has revealed with the worlds’ highest-earning racehorse set to return to turf after contesting the $20million Saudi Cup in Riyadh on Saturday week.

The three-time Hong Kong Cup winner jetted into Saudi Arabia from Dubai on Monday morning ahead of a first outing away from grass, after blitzing the field to break the track record in the Jebel Hatta at Meydan Racecourse last month.

Shum and owner Peter Lau resisted the temptation to test the winner of over $18 million in prize money on dirt in Dubai last month, and will instead roll the dice at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in the 1800-metre Group 1 – when the world’s richest horse contests the world’s richest race.

“Wherever we finish in the Saudi Cup it is 99 per cent certain he will run next in the Dubai Turf,” Shum explained after seeing Romantic Warrior settle into the international quarantine facilities.

“The Dubai Racing Club have already accepted my entry for the Dubai Turf but not the Dubai World Cup yet, as we want to see how Romantic Warrior finishes the race here, but he will almost certainly go for the turf race.”

Romantic Warrior left Hong Kong soon after landing his historic treble at Sha Tin under the Longines World’s Best Jockey, James McDonald, and Shum soon followed on an exploratory visit to the Middle East to have a look at the Riyadh dirt.

He sought council about the surface switch from as many different sources as possible, including the legendary former jockey Mick Kinane, but a meeting between owner and trainer determined Romantic Warrior’s path to potential stardom in Saudi Arabia.

“It wasn’t an easy decision for the owner as we missed the Gold Cup and Stewards’ Cup in Hong Kong,” explained Shum. “If we stayed there we could win on the turf easily, but Peter really wanted to try the challenge of the world’s richest race and come to The Saudi Cup, and we are really looking forward to it.

“James, Peter and I discussed about running first on dirt in the Al Maktoum Challenge and thought that might be better.

“But Peter and I had a lunch meeting and he made a very good point. He said we should run on the turf in Dubai as he could have a [bad] experience on the dirt there, and that the Dubai and Saudi dirt is different. He could win or run really well in Dubai, but that doesn’t mean he can run well in Saudi.

“So we went to the Jebel Hatta knowing we can win easily – and we will keep the dirt a secret. Maybe he will be very good on it, or maybe he can’t handle it – but we won’t be disappointed if he loses so long as he is happy and sound.”

The winner of 18 his 23 career starts, Romantic Warrior overcame intense fractions to run out a comfortable near five-length winner under McDonald.

“In that race you saw Romantic Warrior and his turn of foot,’ said Shum. “He hit the line strong and he is improving – which I am quite shocked about as he is seven-years-old!

“I didn’t worry as I talked to James and I trust him 100 percent as to when is the right time to press the button. The horse is waiting for his instructions, you can see that, and the horse and jockey are really matched together.

“James has such confidence in the horse. When you watch James and Romantic Warrior – they are one. It is amazing to see. It’s incredible.”

Shum and his team in Hong Kong have built up a close relationship with Romantic Warrior and his staff have kept the trainer aware of his movements in Dubai with videos of daily workouts and swimming exploits.

“I am so lucky to have him and he is so good to my stable,” said Shum. “As a trainer I am lucky to have a horse like him and I love him. And the horse loves me and the team.

“I want to keep him for as long as possible – not for the money but because we love each other. I love to see him and feed him carrots and he’s then so happy.”

Romantic Warrior is a regular traveller after collecting a Cox Plate and Yasuda Kinen with visits to Australia and Japan in addition to his Dubai heroics, but Shum sees his future closer to home.

“I talked to the owner before I left and he probably won’t run overseas anymore and we will keep him in Hong Kong for three or four races every season,” he added. “Keep him healthy and happy and hopefully he can do good.”

And hopefully he can do good for Shum and Hong Kong on dirt in The Saudi Cup on February 22.

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