Danny Shum expects Romantic Warrior to improve physically from running in the AED1.85 million (approx. HK$3.92 million) G1 Jebel Hatta (1800m) at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai on Friday night (24 January) when the Hong Kong champion chases a 10th Group 1 victory after drawing perfectly in barrier one.



The world`s highest-earning racehorse with prizemoney of HK$177.3 million has not raced since posting a record third consecutive win in the HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on 8 December and Shum believes the seven-year-old will benefit significantly from Friday`s contest.



“I believe he`s at 80-90% of his best condition. Actually, I don`t really like to measure it this way. If you really want me to give a specific assessment, I would say he`s a little over 80% but not quite 90%,” Shum said.



“In fact, he doesn`t need to be in top form right now, because our main goals are the following two races. For his next race on Friday, we don`t need to push him too hard. This race is mainly to prepare him for the next two bigger targets.”



Apart from the Jebel Hatta, Shum is also aiming Romantic Warrior at the G1 Saudi Cup (1800m, dirt) in Riyadh on 22 February before returning to Meydan for either the G1 Dubai World Cup (2000m, dirt) or G1 Dubai Turf (1800m) on 5 April.



Having overseen successful sorties into Australia and Japan with triumphs in the G1 W. S. Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley and the G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) at Tokyo Racecourse, Shum is satisfied with Romantic Warrior`s condition.



“The main thing is to let Romantic Warrior get used to the track here,” Shum said. “Although James McDonald is the world`s best jockey, this is his first time riding in Dubai. Both the jockey and the horse are here for the first time, so they need time to adapt.



“(On Monday, 20 January), James showed his professionalism. He inspected the turf track and jogged on it. He does the same thing when he rides at Sha Tin Racecourse. He`s a very professional jockey.



“Romantic Warrior seemed happy and eager. He moved out and overtook the pacemaker (Romantic Charm) and, after the gallop, he was calm and collected. He didn`t seem to have exerted much effort.



“His breathing was light and he wasn`t panting. It was no big deal for him.”



Romantic Warrior has drawn barrier one in the Jebel Hatta – which will run at 1am Hong Kong time on Saturday morning (25 January) - while Charlie Appleby-trained Measured Time, last season`s Jebel Hatta winner and 1800m course record-holder, will jump from gate six for William Buick.



Seeking a fifth victory in the race, Appleby is also represented by Ottoman Fleet who will start from barrier five under Mickael Barzalona, aiming to provide Godolphin with a 10th Jebel Hatta success.



Competing against the smallest field he has faced since 2023, Romantic Warrior will also meet Alfareeq (barrier seven), Ancient Rome (three), Holloway Boy (four), Poker Face (eight) and Royal Dubai (two).