Romantic Warrior Aims For Second Hong Kong Gold Cup

[Wandering Eyes]

Former Hong Kong Horse of the Year Romantic Warrior clashes with Voyage Bubble in the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Second in the 2000-metre race in 2023, he went one better in 2024. In 2025, the popular gelding took his show on the road with a win in the G1 Jebel Hatta, before valiant seconds in the G1 Saudi Cup and G1 Dubai Turf. Since he returned to Hong Kong soil, he's been flawless, rattling off victories in the G2 Jockey Club Cup, G1 Hong Kong Cup–his fourth–and in the G1 Stewards' Cup in January.

Voyage Bubble had the race to himself last year under James McDonald, but that jockey has opted for regular mount Romantic Warrior. Facing off against Romantic Warrior in the Stewards' Cup over 1600 metres, the son of Deep Field was not disgraced when running second by a neck. Voyage Bubble leaves from stall six, two to the outside of Romantic Warrior in four.

“Since then, he's trialled really well,” said Zac Purton said of Voyage Bubble. “I can feel he's moving really nicely again, and we know we can handle 2000 [metres].

“It's a small field. It'll be a tactical race. But I'm going there hopeful that we've got a chance to overturn Romantic Warrior.”

Also of note is Hong Kong Derby placegetter My Wish (Flying Artie), who is in between the aforementioned duo in stall five.

The post Romantic Warrior Aims For Second Hong Kong Gold Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

View the full article