Hong Kong's Horse of the Year Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) earned a career high Timeform rating of 129 following his third victory in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup on Sunday, Timeform announced on Tuesday. He is rated second only to Australian multiple Group 1 winner Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), who carries a mark of 132, among active horses in training.
Other horses rated 129 include G1 Dubai World Cup hero Laurel River (Into Mischief), Sunday's G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint winner Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}), G1 International Stakes scorer Calandagan (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), and the retired Hong Kong wunderkind Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro).
Timeform handicapper Jake Price said, “Romantic Warrior not only became the first horse to win the Hong Kong Cup for the third time, but in doing so he overtook former local hero Golden Sixty in becoming the highest-earning racehorse in history. What's more, the manner of his victory ensured he recorded a career best on Timeform ratings, pushing his previous best figure higher by 2 lb to 129, behind only Via Sistina of horses currently in training.
“He had more to spare at the line this time, winning eased down from a couple of last year's Japanese Classic winners, and there was little in the way of hard-luck stories in behind unlike in some of the other international races on the card.”
Price added, “It isn't just at home that Romantic Warrior has conquered. He's currently on a seven-race unbeaten run which has also seen him land the 2023 Cox Plate in Australia and the Yasuda Kinen in Japan back in June. In that time he has been a thoroughly consistent horse on the ratings, building a superb rapport with jockey James McDonald.
“His connections aren't stopping there and have the world's richest race, the Saudi Cup, next in their sights. That would bring a completely different challenge to Romantic Warrior switching to a dirt surface, but the race itself will be all the richer for his participation.”
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
