They were expected to win, but Romantic Warrior and Ka Ying Rising performed even beyond expectations in dominating the feature events of the Hong Kong International Races Dec. 14 at Sha Tin Racecourse.
Ka Ying Rising romped home as he pleased in the Hong Kong Sprint (G1) for his 16th straight win. And if Romantic Warrior's off-the-pace victory in the Hong Kong Cup (G1) was more workmanlike, it was just as comprehensive, especially given his recent travails.
If there had been any question before the Sprint whether Ka Ying Rising was the world's best sprinter, it certainly was answered by his performance in the race.
Jockey Zac Purton said before the barrier draw he was hoping for an inside gate and he got his wish, and then some, with the No. 1 position. With another speed horse to his direct outside, it seemed that might turn from an advantage into a trap. It did not.
The 5-year-old broke smoothly and never looked like anything but a winner at any point in the 1,200 meters (about 6 furlongs). He won by 3 3/4 lengths, never asked for his best. Over a course that trainer David Hayes noted was not producing fast times, he failed to lower the course record, as he'd done twice previously, clocking 1:07.70, but probably could have if he'd needed to.
In the process, he won his 16th straight race—a string that includes October's AU$20 million (approx. $US13 million) The Everest (G1) and all of Hong Kong's important sprint races. His opposition this time around the course included horses who had performed with various levels of distinction in Dubai, in the Breeders' Cup World Championships, and in Japan's top sprints.
"He didn't let our expectations down and the public's expectations down," Hayes said.
"It felt good," Purton added. "Listen, we didn't really have a fixed plan other than to be positive.
"I was surprised I led but I was always going to be happy to lead anyway," he continued. "The fence was no good so I had to get off it. When I looked at the big screen, I was a long way in front. That's what everyone wanted."
Even rival jockeys were effusive in their praise for the winner.
"The best I've seen at that trip," said Ryan Moore, who finished a disappointing ninth on Satono Reve.
"He's been second to the best horse in the world so you can't ask for more," said Brenton Avdulla, aboard runner-up Raging Blizzard.
"That winner was something else," added James McDonald, whose mount, Fast Network, finished third.
Hayes said the countdown begins immediately for another crack at The Everest, preceded by another run through the cream of the local sprint events.
Asked how fast he thinks his superstar could go on a perfect day while being asked for his best, Hayes said, "I reckon he could do 6-something (1:06)."
That probably would require a rival who could mount a serious challenge and such an animal is not on the Hong Kong horizon.
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At least not in the sprint ranks. Among the middle-distance runners, there's Romantic Warrior.
The 7-year-old was likely responsible for a small field of just seven in the Cup. While a few had top-level credentials of their own, none had an answer when McDonald asked Romantic Warrior to run by them in the straight. He responded smoothly and won by 1 3/4 lengths over multiple group 1 winner Bellagio Opera.
France's Quisisana was third and Irish-trained Galen finished fourth. Iowa-bred Chancheng Glory prompted the pace well into the stretch run, providing a thrill for early-rising Americans in the audience, before fading to finish sixth.
The race was almost spoiled as a spectator ran onto the course near the top of the stretch, apparently seeking to draw attention to investigations into the Nov. 26 fire at the Tai Po apartment complex that claimed 160 lives. He was tackled before threatening the runners.
Romantic Warrior picked up his 11th group 1 win in the Cup—three in previous editions of the same race and others in Japan, Australia, and Dubai—and extended his world-record earnings by HK$22.4 million (approx. US$2.87 million).
Through the past 12 months, though, he had to overcome adversity of all kinds.
After an encouraging early-season win in Dubai, Romantic Warrior suffered a heartbreaking defeat behind eventual Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Forever Young in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1), then finished second again in the Dubai Turf (G1T). After that, he was sidelined from April 5 to Nov. 23, when he returned to win the Jockey Club Cup (G2), looking every bit his old self. In the interim, he also had surgery on a front leg.
"It's a big relief," trainer Danny Shum said of Romantic Warrior's rebound from the layoff and surgery. "He always gives me a lot of happiness, not only me but my stable, owners, my family, and in Hong Kong, even racing fans or non-racing fans, they all love Romantic Warrior.
Hong Kong's adoring fans expect a return match against Forever Young in February in Saudi Arabia, but Shum said that would depend on owner Peter Lau Pak Fai.
"He has wisdom. We all trust him. If he says, 'Danny, go to Saudi Arabia,' I'll go to Saudi Arabia. If he says, 'Danny, stay in Hong Kong,' I'll stay in Hong Kong. We're a good team, I trust Peter a lot."
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