CHAMPION stayer Romantic Warrior returned to action with a comfortable Group 2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup triumph at Sha Tin on Sunday to set up a bid for a third consecutive HK$40 million Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Cup victory next month.

Extending his current winning streak to six, the six-year-old son of Acclamation claimed his second Jockey Club Cup with a commanding performance under James McDonald, taking his overall record to 16 wins and three seconds from 21 starts.

Romantic Warrior boosted his prize money earnings to HK$154.92 million to continue his pursuit of Golden Sixty’s world record haul of HK$167.17 million.

From stall one, Romantic Warrior settled in sixth place behind Sword Point and, as the field approached the home turn, McDonald moved off the fence and four-wide to challenge. Taking over at the two-furlong pole, Romantic Warrior quickened clear to win by four and a quarter lengths.

McDonald was impressed. “He’s like the prize fighter, isn’t he? Heavyweight champion of the world. You never really get nervous on him, because he’s so good. He’s an incredible horse.

“I love him to bits and he’s very good. He can get you out of situations that other horses can’t. He never lets you down ever and he’s just got this amazing will to win.”

Trainer Danny Shum was pleased with his champion’s performance: “He was a little bit keen. James put him in behind them and the fast pace suited. He (McDonald) told me the horse is still improving, but I told him on December 8th it will be two different stories. The field will be totally different - much, much, much stronger than today.”

Targets also include the Saudi Cup and the Dubai World Cup in April. Shum said: “If he runs good on December 8th, the owner, Peter (Lau), is really keen to go. He deserves to have try. It’s once-in-a-lifetime.”

KA Ying Rising is the bright new name in world sprinting and he surged towards Group 1 glory at Sha Tin, when David Hayes’ emerging champion sprinter powered to victory in the Group 2 Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint, breaking Sacred Kingdom’s long-standing track six-furlong record set in 2007.

Eased down but clocking 1m 07.43s, Ka Ying Rising improved his overall record to eight wins and two seconds from 10 starts, ahead of the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin on December 8th.

Ka Ying Rising swept to a three and a quarter length victory over Howdeepisyourlove, with Helios Express a further short-head away in third.

Ka Ying Rising could have recorded an even faster time had Purton ridden out the New Zealand-bred Shamexpress four-year-old, but Purton had time to blow a kiss to a camera on the inside of the track.

“I knew it was a track record, so I thought I would seal it with a kiss,” Purton said of his celebration. “It’s getting scary now how good he’s becoming and how easily he’s doing it. It’s a nice top-up run for the big one (Longines Hong Kong Sprint) next month.

“He’s got great gate speed, he relaxes beautifully mid-race and he’s got a great turn of foot – it’s everything you need in a sprinter. He hasn’t won at Group 1 level yet, so he’s still got to do a bit.”

David Hayes was relieved post-race. “It’s a course record held by a superstar (Sacred Kingdom). You’ve got to be pretty good to get the course record at Sha Tin, when you see all these wonderful, promising horses racing on fast ground. To have your horse in the book is a bit of a thrill.”