Romantic Warrior took a significant step towards a high-level return to racing when Hong Kong`s global champion breezed through a 1700m barrier trial at Happy Valley this morning (27 September).



Ridden by Hugh Bowman in the absence of regular jockey James McDonald, Romantic Warrior pleased trainer Danny Shum ahead of a tilt at a record-extending fourth HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on 14 December and a second attempt at the G1 Saudi Cup (1800m, dirt) in Riyadh in February.



Sidelined after undergoing fetlock surgery on his left foreleg in May, the 10-time Group 1 victor settled at the tail of the eight-horse field before closing impressively under little pressure to finish fourth behind Awesome Fluke (Andrea Atzeni) in 1m 48.51s.



Shum plans to start Romantic Warrior in the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on 23 November – a race Romantic Warrior won in 2022 and 2024.



“I`m very happy with him. Hugh said the horse was a little bit (eager) early but from the 1000m, he was very relaxed,” Shum said.



“We want to do another trial or a gallop on the turf (before he races). The plan is on the 2000m (BOCHK Jockey Club Cup), then to December (LONGINES Hong Kong Cup) and then to the Saudi Cup – that`s the plan.



“He had surgery five months and he`s okay. He`s been galloping well, trotting well, eating well. I`m very happy with him.”



With world record earnings of HK$214.70 million, Romantic Warrior has not raced since a gallant second to Japan`s Soul Rush in the G1 Dubai Turf (1800m), having suffered narrow defeat to Forever Young in the G1 Saudi Cup (1800m, dirt) in February.



Bowman was satisfied with Romantic Warrior`s trial performance today, having also trialled the Hong Kong International Sale graduate last season for Shum.



“He`s great. He was bubbly prior to the jump. He came out with a fair bit of purpose but I relaxed him at the back,” Bowman said. “He wanted to get on with it, he was a bit keen the first quarter (400m), but from the 1000 metres, he settled into a really good rhythm and dropped the bridle.



“I just let him work up within himself, the last 400m, and I think it was pretty obvious to see how well he was going.



“Danny was keen not to do too much with him today because he`s had a fair time off, so we just relaxed him and let him do his work. He had a good blow afterwards so that will improve him from a fitness perspective.



“He`s in good shape. His action is really good.”



Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday (28 September) with an 11-race card, starting with the Class 5 Tropicbird Handicap (1200, dirt) at 12.45pm.