Jockey James McDonald is impressed with Romantic Warrior

Transitioning from one country to another is never easy for horses, with changes in environment often disrupting their race preparation.

However, superstar horse Romantic Warrior has forged a fierce reputation as one of the fastest horses around, following plenty of big-money wins in Hong Kong. 

Connections are hoping it can transition seamlessly to life in Australia, with the Turnbull Stakes and the Cox Plate on the agenda. 

With all of the fields for the biggest races on the Australian horse racing calendar starting to be assembled, it is the horses from other countries that often generate the most attention in the betting ring.

The sense of unknown always gets things moving and shaking with the biggest Aussie bookmakers and that has rung true once more with Romantic Warrior.

A prolific winner in Hong Kong, Danny Shum has decided to chance his arm with Romantic Warrior in Australia, as he chases some of the most lucrative prizes in world racing.

Familiar faces

One of the tasks that most international horses need to face when they arrive in Australia is familiarity and a change in environment.

Romantic Warrior has the luxury of being saddled by James McDonald, the jockey that was on board Romantic Warrior as it claimed its biggest career triumph to date, the Group 1 Champions & Charter Cup at Sha Tin in May 2023.

McDonald is a huge fan of the horse, having spoken highly of it on numerous occasions and there is a feeling that the two in partnership is a winning combination.

With most of the training taking place down at Flemington, both the Turnbull Stakes and Cox Plate won’t spring too many surprises either and Romantic Warrior could settle into life in Australia perfectly. 

Proven winner

Picking up big race wins is part of the operation with Danny Shum and James McDonald and Romantic Warrior is a horse that has always delivered.

With a superb winning CV and a myriad of wins on home soil at both Sha Tin and Happy Valley in Hong Kong, Romantic Warrior has picked up millions of dollars’ worth of career prize money over the past few seasons.

The 5-year-old looks tailormade for conditions in Australia and is a serious speedster, with the Flemington track surely the ideal environment for a horse such as this.

Picking up another big win will be the ultimate aim for trainer Danny Shum and jockey James McDonald, two men that are very used to winning at this level and Romantic Warrior will be out to give them another W in the bag.

Chasing glory

It promises to a busy spell in Australia for Romantic Warrior, with two huge races lined up on the calendar.

James McDonald is set to be in the saddle at the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington on Saturday 7th October and how connections would love to see Romantic Warrior get off to a winning start at Group 1 level.

A win in the prestigious Turnbull would be a real mark in the sand for Romantic Warrior, who has also been declared for the Cox Plate in late October.

Outside of the Melbourne Cup, the Cox Plate is arguably one of the biggest races in the country with both Australian and international betting sites and how Danny Shum and James McDonald would love to team up for a winner in the Cox Plate at the end of October.

All of the fields in Group 1 races in Australia currently are laden with big name horses and Romantic Warrior fits that bill perfectly.

Hailing from a successful career in Hong Kong, Romantic Warrior has been imperious for prolific trainer Danny Shum and with James McDonald impressed with how Romantic Warrior has transitioned to life in Australia, it could be a summer to remember for connections.