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...
Crossbow Takes Aim At Flemington To Score
With quality efforts behind handy horses in his first three starts, trainer Chris Waller crossed the border to Victoria with instant success for the Star Thoroughbreds raced Crossbow, with the well-marked son of Better Than Ready breaking through for an impressive win.
Kosciuszko calling Rosehill winner Elson Boy
Dubbo-trained Elson Boy was back in the winner’s circle after a 412-day absence when leading throughout to land the Jockeys Celebration Day Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill in the hands of apprentice William Stanley.
King of Roseau Wins G3 Aurie’s Star
Placed in the Listed VRC Poseidon Stakes at Flemington last spring as a three year-old behind Growing Empire, Capitalist gelding King of Roseau returned to the same venue on Saturday to capture the Group III VRC Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m).
Sires With Winners - Saturday August 2
Here is the full list of 101 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Bountiful and Many Men to be Offered at Tattersalls Online Southern Hemisphere Pop-Up Sale
The high-class pair BOUNTIFUL (Zoustar) and MANY MEN (Study of Man) have been catalogued for the Tattersalls Online Southern Hemisphere Pop-Up Sale to be held in collaboration with Inglis Digital Australia on Wednesday 6th August to Thursday 7th August. Full details of the sale which will take place on the Tattersalls Online website are now available to view at www.tattersallsonline.com.
Dual Group Winner Too Darn Good At Flemington
A dual group winner during the Spring of her 3yo season, talented mare Too Darn Discreet showed an electric turn of foot, charging home over the top of them to win the Melbourne Cup Carnival On Sale (1620m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Kiwi Bred Keeps Winners Coming for Payne Stable
The Patrick and Michelle Payne-trained Bold Soul has been a consistent performer right through the winter months and notched another win at Flemington when prevailing in the VRC Membership Renewals Open (2530m) on Saturday.
Cox Plate Hero Romantic Warrior Breaks Course Record at Meydan
The reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year and winner of the 2023 Cox Plate in Australia, Romantic Warrior (IRE) was invincible last night at Meydan for James McDonald when powering to a scintillating victory in the Group I Jebel Hatta (1800m) in course record time.
Sliding Doors Moment Delivers Feel Good Winner at Rosehill
Two fillies were born at Yulong in 2021 sired by Alabama Express from imported North American daughters of Street Cry, one of them is triple Group I winner Treasurethe Moment and the other is the feel good winner of the day at Rosehill on Saturday.
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.