Fresh off receiving the LONGINES World’s Best Jockey Award at a special ceremony on Friday night, expat Kiwi hoop James McDonald etched his name in the record books at Sha Tin on Sunday when he partnered local hero Romantic Warrior to their third successive triumph in the Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m).
McDonald had his eye in at the renowned Hong Kong International Races meeting, having ridden Voyage Bubble to victory in the Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) in the race prior, and he was intent on repeating the dose on Romantic Warrior.
The Danny Shum-trained six-year-old jumped away well from the ace barrier and McDonald was able to hold their advantage on the fence before handing up to Wingspan, but he quickly navigated his charge into the coveted one-one position where Romantic Warrior enjoyed an economical trip.
The son of Acclamation loomed ominously three-wide at the turn and entered a duel with Tastiera, but he dispatched his rival with 150m to go and ran out a comfortable 1-1/2 length victor over a fast-finishing Liberty Island, giving McDonald the opportunity to stand in his irons as they crossed the line to salute the historic victory.
McDonald was understandably ecstatic to end his memorable week in the best possible fashion.
“That was unbelievable, I’m so proud of this horse,” he said. “He's just been remarkable and it's some effort by Danny (Shum) and his team.
“The Japanese (horses) put it to him but with no luck. He's the best, forget the rest, he’s the best.
“He’s been flying, and anyone could ride him because he's that easy, but I'm the lucky one. He’s the horse of a lifetime.”
A proud New Zealander, McDonald likened Sunday’s result to a pressure moment for his national rugby team.
“This was our moment to create history, and it felt like I was lining up for the winning kick for the All Blacks. It was a pinch me moment,” he said.
Further international targets now await Romantic Warrior, who won the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) in Melbourne in 2023 and the Gr.1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) in Tokyo earlier this year, with trainer Danny Shum eyeing the US$20 million Gr.1 Saudi Cup (1800m) in Saudi Arabia in February, where he believes he has some unfinished business in that part of the world.
“He’s the best, but I have to take another bigger challenge to go to Dubai and Saudi Arabia, just because I haven’t been to Dubai for 25 years,” Shum said.
“At that time, I was assistant trainer for Mr Ivan Allan, I had a new experience. I will make sure the team that go there are in the best form.
“The owner, Mr Peter Lau, said it’s a once in a life chance to take the challenge in Saudi Arabia for the top prizemoney in the world. We are experimenting with dirt, but I’ve tried him in an all-weather trial with a pacifier and he was quite good.”
McDonald, who is currently undertaking a short-term riding contract in Hong Kong, has been in a reflective mood following a memorable week and said he is grateful for all the support he continues to receive from his homeland.
“I know for a fact that we are so well loved in the racing community over there (New Zealand) and we have so much support, which I am extremely grateful for,” McDonald told Trackside.
“I can’t do it without where I started, and that is from a 10-year-old boy riding around a Kaipaki track, it is pretty crazy. I thank everyone that has been a part of my journey.”