Hong Kong’s “big trio” went head-to-head on January 29 at the Stewards’ Cup (G1) at Sha Tin Racecourse, bringing in nine overall wins in Hong’s highest ranked group 1 and 3. Kong. The Stewards’ Cup is valued at HK$12 million (US$1.53 million).
Sparkling California and defending champion Hong Kong sixty . gold ends 1-2 at Hong Kong Mile (G1) in December. Romance Warrior won the Hong Kong Cup (G1) in that same memorable show.
“This is my first time participating in a race like this and I am really excited,” said Romantic Warrior coach Danny Shum, who has participated in many major races. “It’s a world-class race. I don’t think it’s a race just for Hong Kong followers. It’s a global race. Over the past 30 years, it’s been the most exciting race.”
The numbers bring that up. All three are highly regarded among grass-court runners on Longines’ World’s Best Racehorse ranking despite racing exclusively in Hong Kong.
There’s also an element of aversion involved.
The Romance Warriors have only lost once to nine wins, placing fourth behind the California Spangle in the Hong Kong Classic Cup 11 months ago, so they have some unfinished business left. The California Spangle finished second to the Golden Sixty in their two face-to-face meetings before turning the tide at Mile last month. So the first one has to prove he can do it again while the champion seeks to regain supremacy.
The California Spangle usually races for the lead, while the other two are more of a stalker-and-snatcher. If that form is to be maintained in this seven-horse field, it will be a pretty good finish.
There are also age differences to consider.
Driver Vincent Ho said he is confident Golden Sixty, 7, can recover from his December defeat against a 5-year-old opponent.
“They’re five years old and young. Those two horses should have been at their peak, but we’re more mature mentally and we have all the experience and physicality that he still has. I believe we can do it,” Ho said.
Coach Francis Lui concurs but with a more cautious view of the competition.
“The romantic warrior is also a good horse, I tell you. I think he’s a champion,” Lui said. “It was a good race. I think the California Spangle will do the same and the Romantic Warriors come back from 2,000 meters to 1,600 meters. It’s a small field. I think my horse will do the same, jump out and relax for him. Not that it’s necessary for us to change anything.”
If that three-horse battle wasn’t enough to whet the appetite, note that there are three other group 1 winners in the field—Waikuku, Czar, and Panfield.
Sunday’s program also featured the Hong Kong Classic Mile, the 1,600-meter (about a mile) first leg of the 4-year-old Classic Race which culminated in the Hong Kong horse race. The highest rating in this area is Six Cordyceps Cordyceps and keefythough neither of them set the stage on fire.
The Derby itself is the most coveted prize of the season for local owners, both in terms of pocket money and bragging rights. The list of illustrious winners includes both the Golden Sixty and the Romantic Warrior. The latter beat out the very popular California Spangle in its 2022 renewal.
