Romantic Warrior Triumph's in Cox PLate

Mark Smith - Saturday October 28

In an epic finish to the $5,000,000 Group 1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley, fans were on their feet as Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior (IRE) edged two of Australia’s most popular horses, Mr Brightside and Alligator Blood in a finish that fooled many on course.

Romantic Warrior (outside) gets his nose down (image Reg Ryan/Racing Photos)

Bouncing back from his fourth in the Turnbull Stakes, Romantic Warrior seemed to run his race in patches, but winning rider James McDonald revealed it was part of his plan, which was decided when the judge found a margin of a nose over the gallant Mr Brightside (Bullbars).

The equally courageous Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) was a short-neck back in third.  

Advertisement

A relieved Danny Chum welcomed his champion back to scale.

“First thing, I’d like to thank Moonee Valley Racing Club,” Chum said.

“Second, I want to say I am from China Hong Kong. Hong Kong Jockey Club, there is some team. Thank you very much.

“I don’t know how to tell you how happy I am.

“I want to thank Peter (Lau), the owner, for allowing me to come here. James McDonald, all the team, all the Hong Kong fans, my wife Christine, my son Aaron. I love you! I love you!

“After that (the Turnbull), he was not really ready, but he got better day-by-day.

“I was confident he would run a good race. It is a strong race.

“He overcame all of the challenges and the difficulties. James McDonald gave me a very good report.

Out of the fire (image Racing Victoria)

“It has big meaning for me as a trainer. It makes me happy. I’m more happy than I can tell you.”

James McDonald admitted he thought he had been beaten.

“This horse is pretty special to me. I mentioned if he came to a Cox Plate he’d be a suitable horse,” McDonald said.

“I meant what I said and credit to Peter and Danny, it takes a hell of a lot of balls to come out of Hong Kong with all the prizemoney. It is one of the world's best racing jurisdictions, and they come here and showcase their boy.

“I reckon he’s got more to come, too. He’s been bubbling. A significant amount of improvement like I thought he did (would) and he loves the bloody Valley!

“I was comfortable. I knew I was on the right horse I kept going ‘he’s the best horse, he’s the best horse’ so I’d ride him like it.

“I took a gamble about the 1000m or 1200m. We elected to come back a spot and right now I believe that was the winning move. Giving my horse an extra length to come back.

Pure joy (image Reg Ryan/Racing Photos)

“I let Alligator Blood out, knowing I can still beat him having last crack.”

The son of Acclamation advances his record to 11 wins and three seconds from 16 starts with earnings the equivalent of $17,955,885.

The 6-year-old gelding was purchased by Mick Kinane on behalf of the Hong Kong Jockey Club for 300,000gns at the 2019 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.

Bred in Ireland by Tim Rooney and David Egan of Corduff Stud, Romantic Warrior was sold at the Hong Kong International Sale to Peter Lau for HK$4.8 million ($814,000).

He is the third foal of the Street Cry (IR) mare Folk Melody, which was an €82,000 purchase for Blandford Bloodstock from the Godolphin draft at the 2016 Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale.

(Read more about the breeding of Romantic Warrior here)

Advertisment

Race Result - Ladbrokes Cox Plate Gr1 2040m

Moonee Valley Track: Good(3) Time: 2:03.16
1
Romantic Warrior
- 6g Acclamation (GB) x Folk Melody (IRE) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: C S Shum Rdr: J B Mc Donald 59
2
0.1
Mr Brightside
- 6g Bullbars (AUS) x Lilahjay (NZ) (Tavistock (NZ))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: Craig Williams 59
3
0.3
Alligator Blood
- 7g All Too Hard (AUS) x Lake Superior (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 59
All Too Hard
4
1.3
Duais
- 6m Shamus Award (AUS) x Meerlust (AUS) (Johannesburg (USA))
Tnr: Edward Cummings Rdr: D Oliver 57
5
1.4
Gold Trip
- 7h Outstrip (GB) x Sarvana (FR) (Dubai Destination (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: M Zahra 59
6
1.5
Zaaki
- 9g Leroidesanimaux (BRZ) x Kesara (GB) (Sadler's Wells (USA))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: Damian Lane 59
7
1.6
Fangirl
- 5m Sebring (AUS) x Little Surfer Girl (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Z Purton 57
8
2.4
Militarize
- 3c Dundeel (NZ) x Amerindia (GB) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Zac Lloyd 49.5
9
5.4
Victoria Road
- 4h Saxon Warrior (JPN) x Tickled Pink (IRE) (Invincible Spirit (IRE))
Tnr: A O'Brien Rdr: B Shinn 56.5
10
7.1
My Oberon
- 7g Dubawi (IRE) x My Titania (IRE) (Sea The Stars (IRE))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: J Mott 59
11
7.4
Pinstriped
- 5g Street Boss (USA) x Snitzel Blitz (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: E Jusufovic Rdr: Ben Allen 59
12
10.2
King Colorado
- 3c Kingman (GB) x More Aspen (USA) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: M J Dee 50
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Wednesday August 27
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Up and Coming Well Named - So Who Are These Guys?
The $250,000 Group III ATC Up and Coming Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday is a race well named with a field of eight colts and geldings set to line up and while none are stakes-winners yet, one of them will be after the weekend.
Tara Talks Racing – Stallion Parades, Old Legends and a Weekend Tip
We’re back in podcast land as the spring unfolds with plenty to talk about following our recent run of visits to the stallion parades, so what stallions did we like?
Promising Winner and a Star on the Rise
One of the bargain priced sires on the Newgate Farm roster, Cosmic Force has never lacked for company covering 100 plus books of mares in each of his five seasons at stud so far totalling nearly 700 mares.
Sire Power Highlights Quality MM Horses in Training Catalogue
An incredible selection of the country's best proven and hottest young sires will feature at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale in October.
Romantic Warrior's History in Hong Kong
Champion Romantic Warrior created some special history when emphatically winning his third Group I Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Sir Stanley Goosman’s Impact on the National Yearling Sale
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th National Yearling Sale in New Zealand, and a prominent buyer during the history of the Sale was Stanley Goosman (later Sir Stanley).  He was a key player at the Sale during the World War II era, and headed the list of winning owners in New Zealand on 10 occasions.
Spring Trial Watch – Everest Contenders on Show
The Rosehill trials on Thursday morning featured a couple of key Everest contenders with Private Harry winning easily over speedy 3YO North England, while Lady Shenandoah was under a tight grip to finish third in a later heat.
Melbourne Cup Dreaming for Kiwi Stayer
Peter and Shaun McKay are dreaming of a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) tilt with their quality stayer Wolfgang, and he will start his journey towards the iconic feature at Wanganui on Saturday.
G1 Plan for Kiwi Sprinter Niance
Six-year-old mare Niance will kick off a new campaign when she lines up in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on Saturday week.