Romantic Warrior wasted little time reminding Hong Kong racing who still sets the standard, powering to a decisive first victory in the HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, 25 January, and putting the opening stamp on a much-anticipated Triple Crown bid.

The outcome began to feel inevitable well before the straight. At the 400m mark, James McDonald sat motionless as Romantic Warrior cruised up to early pacesetter Lucky Sweynesse, while defending champion Voyage Bubble labored three wide and My Wish struggled to find daylight deeper in the pack.

Once McDonald asked his mount to lengthen, the response was immediate. Romantic Warrior put the race to bed in a matter of strides, asserting clear superiority over a field that simply could not go with him. Lucky Sweynesse, tackling the mile for the first time, stayed on admirably for second, but was no match for the eventual winner, who crossed the line one and three-quarter lengths clear. Voyage Bubble boxed on for third, while My Wish, after a difficult run, finished in a dead-heat for fourth with Sunlight Power.

For McDonald, the performance only reinforced a familiar theme.

“His demeanor, his courage, his will to win, it’s just in spades,” McDonald said. “It’s incredible. I say it every time, but when he steps out, it’s a privilege to ride such a horse of his calibre.

“He began really well, and I thought it was going to be pretty smoothly run. But a few picked up, which was quite surprising, and he was always in a nice rhythm.

“Gate seven out of nine gave us that opportunity to not force our hand and wait until it settled down, and I knew Voyage Bubble was three deep, and I wasn't going to give him a cart.

“He’s been unlucky in the past, but bumped into a very good horse. But he’s a warrior.”

Now an extraordinary 12-time Group 1 winner, Romantic Warrior has claimed 21 victories from 28 starts. Ranked seventh in the 2025 LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, the Danny Shum-trained star has also pushed his record prize-money earnings to HK$247.38 million. Earlier in the season, he had already underlined his greatness by winning the HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) for an unprecedented fourth time.

After spending much of the 2024/25 season competing overseas, connections have shifted focus back to Hong Kong, with the rare Triple Crown now firmly in sight. Only Voyage Bubble and River Verdon have previously completed the Stewards’ Cup, Hong Kong Gold Cup, and Champions & Chater Cup treble.

Next on the agenda is the HK$13 million G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) on 1 March, followed by the HK$13 million G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) on 24 May.

“I’m so proud of Romantic Warrior,” Shum said. “He can handle 1600 (metres), 2000, even 2400 – he can handle any distance.

“We all know 2000 is his best trip, so no problem there. I’ll just keep him happy, keep him healthy – it’s a very easy job for me.”

McDonald agreed the Stewards’ Cup was the ideal starting point for the challenge ahead.

“It’s a long way to go, but, yeah, the first one’s ticked off.”

Away from the feature, David Hayes shared training honours on the card with Francis Lui and lifted his seasonal tally to 30 winners. Hayes’ standout success came when Ka Ying Rising demolished his rivals in the HK$13 million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) under Zac Purton. Earlier, Turin Champions took the Class 4 Sound Print Handicap (1400m) with Hugh Bowman aboard, while Positive Smile completed Hayes’ treble in the Class 4 Waikuku Handicap (1400m) under Keith Yeung.

McDonald also struck earlier in the afternoon with impressive debutant Gold Patch for Francis Lui in the Class 4 Peniaphobia Handicap (1000m), the Ardrossan gelding holding off Sparkling Fellow in the closing stages.

Winning Wing continued his productive partnership with Dylan Mo by landing the Class 2 Ambitious Dragon Handicap (2000m), edging Prestige Good in a gritty finish, while Lui completed a treble when Invincible Shield prevailed narrowly in the Class 2 Able Friend Handicap (1200m) under Vincent Ho.

Purton topped the jockey standings with three wins, adding to the Centenary Sprint Cup with victories aboard Lucky Eight in the Class 4 Beat The Clock Handicap (1200m) and Happy Index in the Class 3 Aerovelocity Handicap (1200m).

Brett Crawford and Karis Teetan combined for another Hong Kong success when Island Buddy earned his first local win in the Class 4 Mr Vitality Handicap (1200m), and Casper Fownes closed the program as Flying Luck captured the Class 3 Beauty Generation Handicap (1600m) with Ellis Wong in the saddle.