In the days leading up to Saturday’s $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, usracing.com is posting profiles of the leading contenders.
ROMANTIC WARRIOR
When Romantic Warrior returned after his first run over the dirt track at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, Danny Shum was somewhat relieved.
Romantic Warrior. JCSA Photo.
Will globetrotting multi-millionaire Romantic Warrior like the surface switch in the Saudi Cup?
The 7-year-old champion has 10 Group 1 victories, with big-time wins in Australia, Dubai, and Hong Kong. He’s won 18 races in 23 starts and has earned nearly $23 million.
However, he’s still the biggest question mark in the Saudi Cup – can he move from the turf and win the world’s richest race in his first attempt on a dirt surface?
“I feel good about how he handled the dirt here and so did (jockey James (McDonald), but the point is how he will handle the kickback and it’s different for different horses,” Shum said on Thursday (Feb. 20). “Some horses can handle it and others will shorten their stride. This is normal.
“You never know until they’re past the winning post. He looks very fit. Physically, in all his career, this time he’s the best in his life.”
He may be the best on turf, but the switch to dirt at a new venue is asking a lot, even for one of the top racehorses in the world.
The 14-horse field is mediocre at best, with Japan star Forever Young the slight favorite over Romantic Warrior. Most of the other runners are listed at odds of 30-1 or higher.
Racing on dirt for the first time is a crapshoot, with some able to deal with the transition and others can’t handle it.
For example, champion City of Troy won six of seven races on turf in Europe, including four Group 1’s. His first start on the dirt came in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) — the 3-year-old never took to the surface and finished a non-threatening eighth.
Betting advice: If the dirt suits him, he’ll likely be at the finish line first; if not, it’s likely he won’t hit the board. Hard to write this, but toss.
Post position: 3
Odds: 2-1
Jockey: James McDonald
Trainer: Danny Shum
Owner: Peter Lau
Career record: 23-18-3-0
Career earnings: $22,798,588
Age: 7
Last race: Jebel Hatta (G1), Meydan, Jan. 24 (1st)
Top Equibase speed figure: N/A
Pedigree: Acclimation-Folk Melody, by Street Cry
Color: Bay
Running style: Closer
Notes: Ireland bred was sold at the Hong Kong International sale in 2021 to Peter Lau for $521,347 … Sent to England for training before coming to Hong Kong … Jockey James McDonald, a New Zealander, has won more than 100 Grade/Group 1 races, mostly in Australia. He’s also won G1’s in Hong Kong, Japan, England, and Dubai … Among Romantic Warrior’s G1 victories: Hong Kong Cup (2022, 2023, 2024); Cox Plate (2023); Yasuda Kinen (2024).
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.