ROMANTIC WARRIOR stormed to victory in the $6.5 million (US) Hong Kong Cup on Saturday at Sha Tin racecourse, the richest race on the Longines Hong Kong International race day.
Ridden by James McDonald, Romantic Warrior (Ire), a son of Acclamation (GB) – Folk Melody (Ire) by Street Cry (Ire) is a 4-year-old who had only lost once coming into the 2000 metre race. Purchased by former jockey Mick Kinane as agent for owner Peter Lau for 300,000 guineas at the 2019 Tattersalls Yearling sale, Romantic Warrior is trained by Danny Shum.
Romantic warrior’s second dam FOLK OPERA (Ire) won the 2008 E.P. Taylor Stakes (GI) at Woodbine.
For all the news and photos of the Hong Kong races, visit HERE.
Golden Sixty Upset in Hong Kong Mile
It was a case of third time lucky for CALIFORNIA SPANGLE (Starspangledbanner (AUS) – Pearlitas Passion (Ire) by High Chapparel (Ire)) at Sha Tin this afternoon (Sunday, 11 December) as he sensationally denied Golden Sixty’s record-equalling G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) hat-trick bid in front a raucous crowd of 42,624.
Beaten by Golden Sixty in the 2022 G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) and last month’s G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m), California Spangle reversed the result with his first-top level crown for trainer Tony Cruz and jockey Zac Purton.
“I’m very proud of the horse. I expected him to win (Hong Kong) International Races one day and lucky I have Zac with me. Zac rode the perfect race today,” Cruz said.
Stepping away cleanly under Purton, the four-year-old fired forward before denying a brave Golden Sixty by a neck in 1m 33.41s for the trip, while Laws Of Indices and Beauty Joy filled third and fourth places, respectively.
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Pedigree note: California Spangle descends from the Bo-Teek Farm bloodlines of Canadian George Frostad. Frostad’s homebred stakes winner Gay Apparel is the fourth dam of the Hong Kong Mile winner.
It's Romantic Warrior's @LONGINES Hong Kong Cup! The 2022 Hong Kong International Sale graduate is far too good for them under @mcacajamez. #HKIR | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/oJL39wycqX
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) December 11, 2022
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