Romantic Warrior trials as Triple Crown chase begins in Stewards’ Cup

By Declan Schuster

Sunday's (25 January) HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) shapes as an epic showdown, where 11-time Group 1 winner Romantic Warrior faces last season’s Triple Crown hero Voyage Bubble at Sha Tin, while on the same afternoon, Ka Ying Rising steps out in the HK$13 million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m).

Romantic Warrior has never been beaten by Voyage Bubble, although the Stewards’ Cup – leg one of Hong Kong’s Triple Crown – is staged over the latter’s optimal distance, and it is a race he won in 2024 and 2025 in addition to consecutive HK$36 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) triumphs across the same years.

The Triple Crown also encompasses the HK$13 million G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) on 1 March before rounding out with the stamina-testing HK$13 million G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) on 24 May.

In preparation, Romantic Warrior worked effortlessly through a barrier trial at Sha Tin this morning (Tuesday, 13 January) on the dirt over 1200m, finishing an impressive first in 1m 10.12s under Hugh Bowman for trainer Danny Shum.

Bowman said: “He feels great. He’s in really good order. He trialled superbly this morning, and I’m sure he’ll go to the mile race at the end of the month in top order.”

A Group 1 winner in four separate jurisdictions, Romantic Warrior is world racing’s highest-earning horse ever (HK$240.10 million). He recently captured a record-extending fourth consecutive HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) under James McDonald.

The Triple Crown carries a bonus of HK$10 million for connections of the successful horse in all three races. Only River Verdon (1993/94) and Voyage Bubble (2024/25) have claimed Hong Kong’s Triple Crown.

Bowman will be aboard Group 1 winner Red Lion in the Stewards’ Cup, and said: “He’s a very reliable horse, and he does get better with racing. His trial was fantastic (on 2 January) and he’ll trial again later this week, but I think he’s in his best form of the season so far. It’s exciting.”

Meanwhile, Zac Purton has opted to ride 97-rated Sagacious Life in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m), leaving Vincent Ho to partner Little Paradise, while Bowman stays with Invincible Ibis.

“You’re faced with a decision like that all the time, but it’s a unique year, where all of the horses have continued to progress,” Purton said. “They’ve done nothing wrong – you could make a claim for all of them. It’s shaping as one of the most competitive Classic Miles I’ve ever seen.

“I did like that effort (Sagacious Life’s most recent win). It’s not easy here in Class 2 as a young horse, and he carried a big weight to do that.”

Two-time winner Sagacious Life is trained by Pierre Ng. He has won twice in Class 2 over a mile, including on 4 January with Purton.

The Hong Kong Classic Mile kicks off the HK$52 million Four-Year-Old Classic Series, which also features the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) on 1 March before climaxing with the 149th HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on 22 March.

Trainer Caspar Fownes saddles Kaholo Angel (115lb) in Wednesday’s (14 January) HK$4.2 million G3 January Cup Handicap (1800m) at Happy Valley.

Fownes said: “He’s done really well, this horse, and he’s surprised me a bit to tell you the truth. The horse presents well and hopefully he can stay the extra 150 metres. We’re just throwing him in the deep end here. We’ll see how he jumps from barrier 10, but ideally speaking, I’d like to ride him quiet with a view to seeing him finish off strongly.”

Aiming to enhance his 26 wins this term, Bowman links with last-start winner Silvery Breeze (132lb) in the Class 3 APM Monaco Cup Handicap (1650m) for trainer David Eustace.

“His form actually this season has been very, very good. He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in barrier 12, so that’s not going to help, but he’s a pretty reliable horse, so we’re looking forward to seeing what he can bring to the table this time,” Bowman said.

Wednesday’s (14 January) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley begins at 6.35pm with the Class 5 Meteorites Handicap (1200m).